Kuwait held 1-1 by Vietnam in the Asian Games opener

Kuwait U-23 players celebrate after scoring the opening goal against Vietnam.

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 15: Kuwait’s Olympic U-23 team opened its Asian Games campaign with a 1-1 draw against Vietnam at Minato Stadium in Japan.

The match was Kuwait’s first Group C fixture at the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026).

Omar Al-Matar put Kuwait ahead in the 79th minute with a header after substitute Ahmed Boudi delivered a well-taken free kick. Vietnam responded just two minutes later, with Nguyen Ngoc heading in from a corner to restore parity.

Vietnam started strongly and created several early chances, with Nguyen Ly Fat hitting the crossbar and the post in the eighth minute. Kuwait gradually grew into the game and began creating opportunities of its own.

Montaser Abdul-Salam tested Vietnam goalkeeper Cao Van Binh with a powerful effort from outside the box in the 23rd minute, while Talal Al-Qaisi came close to breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute after a fine individual run.

Kuwait started the second half positively, with Al-Qaisi again denied by the Vietnam goalkeeper in the 48th minute. Kuwait goalkeeper Abdulrazaq Shehab also remained alert, making an important save from Nguyen Ly Fat six minutes later.

Kuwait eventually took the lead through Al-Matar, but its advantage lasted only two minutes before Vietnam equalized.

The result gave Kuwait its first point in Group C. Uzbekistan leads the group after defeating the Philippines 5-1.

Kuwait will face Uzbekistan on Friday morning, while Vietnam meets the Philippines on the same day.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff