Kuwait loses to an own goal

Yaqoob Al-Oudai

The national team lost 0-1 to the Saudi Arabian national team yesterday in the first round of Group A at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) football tournament. The match was held at King Abdullah City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is hosting the tournament from the 23rd of this month until October 6.

The goal was scored by "Al-Azraq" (the Blue) player Yousef Al-Haqan, who accidentally put the ball into the net of Saudi goalkeeper Saud Al-Houshan in the 73rd minute.

With this result, the Saudi "Al-Akhdar" (the Green) top Group A with three points.

Prior to this match, the Oman national team and the Iraqi national team met in the same group, ending in a 1-1 draw.

In the second round of the group, "Al-Azraq" will face the Iraqi national team next Saturday, while the Saudi national team will play against the Oman national team on the same day.

Our national team started the match with the following lineup: Saud Al-Houshan in goal; Raad Al-Dosari, Yousef Al-Haqan, Abdulaziz Mahrin, Muath Al-Zafiri, Khalid Al-Marshad, Jassim Al-Matir, Nasser Faleh, Eid Al-Rashidi, Shibib Al-Khalidi, and Muhammad Daham. The Saudi national team’s lineup included: Nawaf Al-Aqidi in goal; Muhammad Wahib, Abdulilah Al-Omari, Nasser Al-Dosari, Saleh Wahib, Nawaf Moshari, Hassan Kadish, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Mutab Al-Harbi, Muhammad Abu Al-Shammat, and Hamam Al-Hamami.

The Saudi national team opened the match with high pressing and organized attacks. In response, "Al-Azraq" successfully defended against "Al-Akhdar"’s attacks through organized defense, keeping their clean sheet thanks to Al-Houshan’s outstanding performance in goal. The backline also excelled in breaking out of the pressure. "Al-Azraq" did not limit themselves to defense but threatened the Saudi goal with a powerful shot by Eid Al-Rashidi that went wide of the post in the 16th minute. This was followed by our team’s most dangerous chance in the 45th minute, when a low drive by Daham went very close to Nawaf Al-Aqidi’s goal.

"Al-Azraq"’s Portuguese coach, Helio Sousa, relied on counter-attacks and nearly took the lead in the 32nd minute. However, the referee disallowed a goal for the Saudi national team scored by Muhammad Abu Al-Shammat in the 36th minute due to a foul on "Al-Akhdar." The first half ended goalless.

The second half began similarly to the first, with the Saudi national team initiating attacks while "Al-Azraq" maintained a solid defensive stand. "Al-Akhdar" varied their attacking approaches, but our team could only rely on long balls in counter-attacks, which did not pose a significant threat to the opponent. The Saudi "Al-Akhdar" successfully took the lead through an own goal by our player Yousef Al-Haqan, who put the ball into the net of Saud Al-Houshan (73rd minute).

"Al-Akhdar" continued to pressure our team and cut off passing lanes. "Al-Azraq" failed to equalize, prompting coach Sousa to substitute in Yousef Majid, Ahmad Al-Zafiri, Azubi Shahab, and Yousef Nasser in an attempt to energize the midfield and attack, but to no avail.

Saudi goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi suffered a serious injury in the 77th minute and was replaced by Muhammad Al-Owais. Despite "Al-Akhdar"’s dominance, our team attempted to increase pressure and intensify attacks in the final minutes to secure a draw. However, they nearly paid the price by leaving large spaces at the back. Had it not been for Saud Al-Houshan’s brilliance, "Al-Akhdar" would have scored a second goal. Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro added 10 minutes of stoppage time, but "Al-Azraq" failed to find an equalizer.