Kuwait loses out on unity in the launch of 'Champions of Asia 2'

Kuwait lost 2-3 to their hosts, Al-Wahda of the UAE, on Wednesday at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, in the opening match of Group 1 of the 2022 AFC Champions League Two. In the same group, Bahrain’s Al-Khaldiya drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi.

Kuwait remained without any points, while Al-Wahda secured their first three points. Al-Khaldiya and Nasaf each hold one point.

Kuwait’s coach, Syrian Firas Al-Khatib, named the following starting lineup: Saud Al-Houshan in goal; in defense, Cameroonian Omar Gonzalez, Congolese Malek Zola, Mohammed Faraih, and Mohsen Fallah; in midfield, Moroccan Mehdi Bahrouma, Ali Hussein, and Bahraini Mohammed Marhoon; on the wings, Mohammed Daham and Amr Abdel Fattah (Amouri); and up front, Tunisian Taha Yassine Khenissi.

Kuwait capitalized on their early dominance to score two quick goals. Taha Yassine Khenissi headed in the first goal from a corner taken by Amouri in the 5th minute. Omar Gonzalez added the second in the 8th minute, finishing off a deflected cross from Al-Wahda’s defense.

Al-Wahda reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute when Slovenian Adam Gungzida delivered a cross that Malian Moussa Diarra headed into the net past Kuwait goalkeeper Saud Al-Houshan.

Coach Al-Khatib was forced to make an involuntary substitution in the 30th minute after Mohsen Fallah was injured, bringing on Rida Hani in his place. The first half ended with Kuwait leading Al-Wahda 2-1.

In the second half, Kuwait goalkeeper Saud Al-Houshan produced a standout performance, denying several dangerous Al-Wahda attempts, most notably those from Abdullah Hamad and Alaa Zuhair in the 50th minute.

In the 60th minute, Japanese referee Ryo Tanimoto showed a red card to Kuwait’s Mohammed Marhoon after he received his second yellow card, leaving Kuwait with ten men for the final 30 minutes.

Al-Houshan continued his impressive display in the 70th minute, making a clear save from a direct free-kick taken by Syrian Omar Khribin.

Deprived of their attacking threat due to the numerical disadvantage, Kuwait’s coach Al-Khatib made further substitutions, bringing on Youssef Nasser, Abdullah Al-Qarzai, Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, and Sami Al-San’ani for Khenissi, Faraih, Daham, and Amouri.

Al-Wahda scored their second goal in the 87th minute, with Venezuelan Renny Rivas finishing off a cross from Gaston Suarez, set up from a corner kick.

Al-Wahda secured the win in the 97th minute when Belgian substitute Christian Bentancur headed in the decisive goal. Kuwait exited the match with a 2-3 defeat.