Kuwait Loses to Nasaf in AFC Champions League Two
Press coverage 1 newspapers covered this event: Al-Jarida →
Al-Kuwait Club lost to Uzbek side Nasaf 2-3 in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Two.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Kuwait Club’s first team suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat to Uzbek side Nasaf in their match today at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium, as part of the fourth round of Group A in the AFC Second Division Champions League.
In the same group, Bahrain’s Al-Khaldiya stunned hosts Al-Ittihad of the United Arab Emirates with a 2-1 victory.
Despite the loss, Al-Ittihad retained top spot in the group with nine points, while Kuwait remained second with six points. Nasaf and Al-Khaldiya both moved up to four points, occupying third and fourth places, respectively.
Kuwait Club entered the second half trailing Nasaf by two goals to nil.
Kuwait started the match with an early attempt by Mohammed Daham, whose shot hit the crossbar in the second minute.
Play remained largely in midfield until the 22nd minute, when Kuwait goalkeeper Saud Al-Houshan made a crucial save to deny Golmof’s certain goal.
In the 28th minute, Al-Houshan also stopped a powerful shot from Nasaf defender K. Molof. Kuwait then launched a counterattack, and Ali Hussein was fouled in the box, earning a penalty that Turkmenistan referee Mamadov Rasul awarded.
Kuwait doubled their lead in the 34th minute following a brilliant attacking move involving Amr Abdel Fattah, Mohammed Daham, and Al-Khanisi, who exchanged passes skillfully before Mohammed Farah finished the move with a precise shot into the right corner of Nasaf’s net.
The second half began with Nasaf pressing in search of a goal to reduce the deficit, but goalkeeper Saud Al-Houshan made a strong save in the 46th minute.
Kuwait regained control and dominated the flow of the game. Mohammed Marhoon nearly extended Kuwait’s lead, but his shot struck the crossbar in the 50th minute.
Contrary to the flow of play, substitute Abdulkhakov reduced the deficit for Nasaf with their first goal in the 55th minute. The Uzbek side then capitalized on their attacking momentum, and the same player equalized, scoring his second goal of the match.
After the equalizer, both teams exchanged attacks in an attempt to seize the lead. In the 81st minute, Rosamov scored Nasaf’s third goal, securing the victory for his team.
