Kuwaiti players intensify training for the friendlies.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 5: Kuwait departed today for the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, to face Uzbekistan in a friendly match on Thursday as part of its preparations during the international break. The game serves as a warm-up ahead of Kuwait’s crucial Arab Cup playoff against Mauritania on November 25 in Doha, with the tournament set to kick off in early December.

Following the Uzbekistan encounter, Al-Azraq will travel to the United Arab Emirates on Friday to play another friendly against Morocco’s local (domestic-based) national team in Dubai on October 14. The squad will return to Kuwait the following day, October 15.

The delegation is headed by Ayman Al-Husseini, a member of the Kuwait Football Association’s Board of Directors, and includes the technical, administrative, and medical staff, along with 26 players selected by Portuguese coach Helio Sousa.

The squad features: Saud Al-Janai, Khaled Al-Rasheedi, Saud Al-Hoshan, Abdulrahman Ajaj, Fahad Al-Hajri, Meshari Ghanam, Khaled Sabah, Mohammed Khaled, Rashid Al-Dosari, Khaled Ibrahim, Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi, Nasser Al-Enezi, Hassan Hamdan, Khaled Al-Murshid, Jarrah Al-Helaili, Reda Hani, Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, Athbi Shehab, Sultan Al-Enezi, Fawaz Ayedh, Bader Tariq, Talal Al-Qaisi, Youssef Nasser, Muath Al-Usaym, Salman Al-Awadhi, and Ahmed Al-Zanki.

Kuwait began training last Monday at Al-Sadaqa wal-Salam Stadium, before moving sessions to Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, and later settling at Thamer Stadium for the final phase of preparations.

Meanwhile, Morocco’s local national team is expected to arrive in the UAE on Friday. Before facing Kuwait, the Moroccans will play a friendly against Egypt in Rabat on Thursday as part of their buildup for the upcoming Arab Cup.

The Moroccan local team recently captured its third African Nations Championship (CHAN) title last August after defeating Madagascar 3-2 in the final.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff