Omar Redha celebrates with teammates after scoring the decisive goal.

BANGKOK, Nov 22: Kuwait’s U-17 team got off to a strong start in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, defeating Turkmenistan 1–0 at Chonburi Stadium in Thailand, in the opening match of Group F.

Omar Redha scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, giving Kuwait its first three points in a group that also includes Mongolia, the Maldives, and hosts Thailand. The “Azraq” will face Mongolia in its second group match on Wednesday, as no matches are scheduled for tomorrow.

Only the top team from each of the seven groups will advance to next year’s finals in Saudi Arabia. Kuwait’s U-17 squad is aiming to reach the finals for the sixth time, marking a return since its last appearance in 2014.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s senior team continues daily training at Al-Oqla Stadium in Doha ahead of its Arab Cup playoff against Mauritania on Wednesday. Since concluding the Egypt training camp last Wednesday, head coach Hélio Sousa has focused on enhancing players’ fitness, strengthening midfield organization, and correcting errors observed during friendlies against Tanzania and Gambia.

Kuwait aims to qualify after missing the previous edition. If successful, they will join Group D alongside Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, with their first group-stage match against Egypt set for December 2.

Kuwait’s Olympic (U-23) team also started a training camp yesterday in Dubai. The camp will run until December 2, before the team departs for Doha to participate in the Gulf U-23 Cup, hosted by Qatar from December 4 to 16.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff