Kuwait’s U-23 squad huddles for a crucial team talk ahead of its match.

NAYPYIDAW, Sept 8: Victory is the only option for Kuwait’s U-23 Olympic football team if they hope to qualify for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup finals. The team faces Japan today at 3:30 PM at Thuwunna Stadium in the third and final round of Group B qualifiers. In the same group, Afghanistan will meet Myanmar in a secondary match.

Kuwait currently sits second in Group B with 4 points, trailing Japan, which tops the group with 6 points. Only the group winners and the four best runners-up across 11 groups will advance to the finals in Saudi Arabia next year, making today’s match decisive.

Kuwait opened the qualifiers with a 0-0 draw against Myanmar, followed by a 1-0 victory over Afghanistan in the second round. Croatian coach Dario Bessic knows the challenge against a perfect Japan side will be tough. Success will require full concentration from all players from the first minute and careful disruption of Japan’s key attacking threats.

Bessic has selected a fully fit squad of 23 players, except Youssef Majid, who is suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the second-round match against Afghanistan.

The lineup is expected to remain consistent with the previous matches, featuring Abdulrahman Ajaj, Bandar Al-Barazi, Mohammed Al-Sharifi, Saleh Al-Muhtab, Jassem Al-Anzi, Jassem Al-Mutar, Montaser Abdulsalam, Omar Al-Mutar, Omar Al-Azmi, Abdullah Al-Ghaniman, Jarah Al-Halili, Ahmed Boudi, Muadh Al-Asima, Khaled Al-Kharqawi, and Saud Qasem.

Kuwait enters the match determined to secure the three points needed to keep their Asian Cup hopes alive.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff