Kuwait U-23 faces uphill task after Uzbekistan defeat

Players in action during Kuwait match against Uzbekistan at the Asian Games.

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 19: Kuwait’s U-23 national team faces a difficult task to reach the knockout stage of the Asian Games after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan yesterday in Group C.

Kuwait must beat the Philippines by at least three goals in its final group match and hope Uzbekistan defeats Vietnam by two goals. If Vietnam wins or draws against Uzbekistan, Kuwait will be eliminated regardless of the result against the Philippines.

Uzbekistan leads Group C with six points, followed by Vietnam on four, Kuwait on one, and the Philippines with no points.

Bakhromov put Uzbekistan ahead in the sixth minute before doubling the lead in the 36th minute.

Kuwait came close to reducing the deficit through Al-Salama in the 32nd minute, but his effort went just wide.

Uzbekistan was reduced to 10 men when Fayzullayev was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Kuwait tried to capitalize on the numerical advantage, with Muntaser Abdul-Salam seeing his free-kick blocked in the 52nd minute, but the Blue team could not find a way back into the game.

Coach David Doniga made several changes in an effort to revive Kuwait’s attack, but Uzbekistan held firm to secure all three points.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff