Kuwait stun Saudi Arabia in Gulf Cup

Doha, Qatar: Kuwait had the fans and the support, and in the end, it proved they had the goals and the game as well.

In their opening match in Group B of the Gulf Cup, Kuwait stunned Saudi Arabia 3-1 to make an emphatic start to their campaign in front of cheering fans at Al Duhail Stadium on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia dominated possession and created almost all the chances in the opening period, but while they were guilty of poor finishing, Kuwait hit the target with their first two efforts on goal, to change the course of the match. 

Ahmad Aldhefeery and  Sami Sanea benefitted from Bader Ahmed Al Mutawa's passing and vision to get into the score sheet while Mobarak Alfaneeni finished off Saudi's challenge with a third goal late in the second half.

Saudi's goal came through  Feras Tariq Albrikan, just before the final whistle.

Though the play in the opening period was scrappy with both teams fighting for space in the midfield, the Saudi's were clearly the better team in the first 40 minutes.

Saudi Arabia had their first chance in the 10th minute when Kuwait midfielder Fahad Alebrahim's under-hit pass went straight at Albrikan, The Saudi striker could have taken the shot himself but he passed the ball for a better-positioned Yahia Al Shehri, who hit the ball wide. 

Al Mutawa showed a glimpse of his passing range to release Yousef Alsulaiman in the 18th minute and Hassan Mohammed had to foul the Kuwaiti striker to foil the move.

Saudis meanwhile, were consistently threatening as central defender Mohammed Abdu Khubrani's found Sultan Abdullah with a beautiful long ball. Though Abdullah controlled the pass without breaking his stride, he could only hit the side netting with his finish.

In the 34th the Saudis came close again but Tariq ran himself into a tight angle allowing keeper Hameed Said to make the save.

The Green Falcons were dominating the proceedings, but at the blink of the eye, Kuwait were 2-0 ahead. 

It all started with Al Mutawa making a run into the Saudi Arabian area before he was fouled outside the box.

Though Yousef Alsulaiman hit the freekick straight into the wall, it came straight to Al Mutawa, who tracked Ahmad Aldhefeery's run from deep and found him with a perfect ball. Aldhefeery's first touch was immaculate and the second, a left-footed shot, beat Saudi goalkeeper Fawaz Alqarni hands down.

It was Kuwait's first real chance and they had made it count.

Two minutes later,  Al Mutawa showed his vision once again to find Sami Sanea who was making a run from the deep on the right flank.

Sanea still had plenty of work to do, but he dodged past an advancing Alqarni before passing the ball into the empty net.

Saudi Arabia were making all the early running in the second half as well but they failed to create clear-cut chances as they did in the opening period.

And whenever they threatened, Kuwaiti defense stood strong.

Kuwait were playing the waiting game, looking to hit on counters and they almost settled it in the 79th minute when Al Mutawa, who was behind all Kuwaiti attacks, found an unmarked Alsulaiman, who however could not hit the target. A few minutes later Alsulaiman again failed to hit the target this time, sending Abdullah Alburaiki cross over the bar with a diving header.

But Saudi could not stop Kuwait from scoring a third as substitute Mobarak Alfaneeni made a surging run on the left flank before finishing emphatically.

Saudi scored late in added time through Albrikan, but it was only a consolation.

Kuwait next play Oman on Saturday, before Saudis take on Bahrain.