Pinto is optimistic despite Kuwait’s loss to Qatar

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KUWAIT CITY, March 27: The destiny of Kuwait rests squarely on its shoulders if it aims to secure its spot in the crucial qualifiers for both the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup finals. To achieve this, it must gather 4 points from its remaining two matches against India and Afghanistan next June, provided these two teams lose to Qatar in the fifth and sixth rounds.

Kuwait suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat against Qatar, slipping to fourth place in the group with 3 points. This setback follows a surprise Afghanistan 2-1 victory over India in the same round. The match, held at Ali Sabah Al Salem Stadium in Kuwait, saw a goalless first half despite both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities.

However, in the second half, Qatar’s Almoez Ali, the all-time top scorer for his team, broke the deadlock by scoring in the 77th minute. Kuwait swiftly responded, with Mohammad Daham leveling the score to 1-1 just two minutes later. Yet, Qatar’s Ali persisted and secured the victory with another goal a minute after that.

With this triumph, Qatar maintained their flawless record in the qualifiers, securing their progression to the next round and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 with 12 points. Meanwhile, Kuwait is in contention for the second spot in the group, facing India and Afghanistan in their upcoming matches.

Despite the loss, Kuwait displayed one of its finest performances in recent years, dictating much of the game’s tempo. However, luck was not on their side, with only one goal to show for their efforts. The team struggled with organization and lacked balance, particularly after conceding the equalizer.

Portuguese coach, Rui Pinto, criticized the delay in substitutions, noting the fatigue evident in some players during the second half. He emphasized the need for better preparation in the forthcoming period, with approximately 70 days until the final two rounds.

In a post-match press conference, Coach Rui Pinto remained optimistic about Kuwait’s chances of qualification despite the loss to Qatar. He commended Al-Azraq’s performance against the reigning Asian champions and lamented missed opportunities.

Looking ahead, Pinto expressed his determination to secure victories in the upcoming matches against India and Afghanistan, aiming for an exceptional level of play to ensure qualification. He reiterated his pride in the Kuwaiti players’ performance and emphasized the long-term plan to rejuvenate the national team, thanking Kuwaiti fans for their unwavering support.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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