DOHA, Nov 27: Kuwait resumed preparations for the Arab Cup with training sessions at Al-Aqla Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

The players were given a two-day break following their 2-0 victory over Mauritania in the playoff match that secured their place in the group stage.

Kuwait will compete in Group C alongside Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The team opens its campaign against Egypt next Tuesday, faces Jordan on December 6, and concludes group matches against the UAE on December 9.

Portuguese coach Helio Sousa is focused on fine-tuning the squad, emphasizing concentration and teamwork as the group-stage challenges are tougher than the playoffs.

The under-17 team will face the Maldives today at 11:30 a.m. at Chonburi Stadium in Thailand, in the fourth round of Group F matches in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers. Later, Thailand will meet Turkmenistan at 3:30 p.m.

Kuwait currently sits second in the group with 6 points, level on points but behind Thailand on goal difference. The group stage concludes Sunday with a crucial match between Kuwait and host Thailand.

The winner of each group will qualify for the Asian Cup finals, joining nine other Asian teams already confirmed for the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar: South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, the UAE, and Uzbekistan. The finals of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup are scheduled next year in Saudi Arabia.

Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff