Kuwait suffers heavy loss to Japan in U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers

Japanese defenders put Kuwaiti attacker under pressure.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Aug 31: Kuwait began its AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Japan in Group G at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Japan dominated from the start and broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Shota Fujio headed home Tokumo Kawai’s corner.

The Japanese side continued to control the game and doubled its lead 10 minutes before halftime. Kento Hamasaki converted from the penalty spot after Hiroto Asada was brought down by Zain Al-Abdeen Maarafi.

Japan added a third in the 40th minute through Captain Homare Tokuda, who rose to head Katsuma Fuse’s cross into the net.

Tokuda completed his brace just before halftime with a fine individual effort, beating several defenders before finding the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Kuwait coach Vrdoljak Mladen made several changes at halftime in an attempt to revive his side, but Japan remained in control and comfortably secured all three points.

Kuwait will look to bounce back when it faces Yemen in its second Group G match on Thursday. In the other group fixture, host Cambodia will meet Japan.

The eight group winners will qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals, along with the seven best runners-up.