An Official congratulates players after a successful training session.

KUWAIT CITY, July 6: The Kuwaiti Olympic soccer team departed for Cairo, Egypt, to begin a training camp that will feature three friendly matches as part of their preparation for the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers.

This camp marks the second phase of the team’s preparations for the qualifiers scheduled from September 1 to 9. Kuwait is drawn in Group B alongside host Myanmar, Japan, and Afghanistan.

The Blues are set to play two confirmed friendlies against Egypt on July 17 and July 20, with negotiations ongoing for a third friendly match to further sharpen the squad.

The team began its initial training phase on June 15 at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium’s auxiliary field, under the leadership of Croatian coach Dario Pesic. The camp features the full squad except for Mohsen Falah, who was sidelined due to injury. Mohammed Al-Sharifi from Al-Qadisiyah has been called up as his replacement.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff