Kuwait opens AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers against Japan

Players intensify training for the opener.

PHNOM PENH, Aug 30: Kuwait’s U-20 national team begins its AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifying campaign against Japan in Cambodia.

The group also features hosts Cambodia and Yemen, with the Blues aiming to make a strong start in their bid to return to the Asian Cup finals after a lengthy absence.

A total of 31 teams are competing in the group stage, divided into eight groups. The eight group winners and seven best runners-up will qualify for next year’s AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals alongside hosts China.

The six lowest-ranked teams among the fourth-placed sides will instead drop into the second-tier development stage. The 11 teams in that stage will be divided into three groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the final qualifying stage of the following qualification cycle.

Kuwait will face Yemen in their second Group G match the day after tomorrow, before wrapping up the group stage against Cambodia next Friday.

The Blues stepped up their preparations with a training camp in the Netherlands last July before returning to Kuwait. They traveled to Thailand in mid-August and played several friendly matches to fine-tune their squad ahead of the qualifiers.

Speaking at a press conference, Kuwait U-20 coach Vjerko Mlinic acknowledged the difficulty of the group, saying all four teams would face strong competition.

“We will give everything we have to achieve the best possible results and qualify,” the Croatian coach said. He also expressed hope that Kuwait can produce a strong campaign and end its long wait to return to the Asian Cup finals.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff