Kuwait Coach: We Lacked the Ability to Keep Fighting Until the End of the Oman Clash
Jeddah, September 29 (KUNA) – Kuwait’s national football team coach, Portuguese manager Helio Sousa, said on Tuesday that the “Blue Team” lacked the ability to continue fighting until the end of their match against Oman using the same tools with which they started the game, which ended in a 1-3 defeat in the final match of Group A of the 27th Gulf Cup of Arab Nations.
Sousa explained at the post-match press conference that Kuwait had the best opportunities to score but failed to capitalize on them, particularly in the final touch and pass, despite players reaching good positions in front of the goal without translating them as required. He added that the team started the second half well and had chances to extend their lead and score a second goal, but a lack of precision in the final pass prevented them from taking advantage.
He pointed out that the Omani team was more effective and managed to score from their first real opportunity, becoming stronger in the match thereafter, while Kuwaiti players gradually lost the ability to play the way they started the game and faced difficulties that their opponent exploited.
Sousa affirmed that the technical staff was aware of the nature of the Omani team and had warned the players that Oman is a side that does not give up and continues to run and fight until the final moments. He expressed regret that the “Blue Team” failed to secure a positive result despite the opportunities available.
For his part, Oman’s national team coach Tariq Al-Skeiti expressed pride in his players and their fighting spirit for the national team. In the same press conference, he said the match was decisive for Oman and that it was not a 50-50 contest, clarifying that the team entered the game needing to score several goals to enhance their chances in the competition.
Al-Skeiti added that the technical staff relied on a plan based on pressure and creating numerical superiority in midfield, praising the fighting spirit shown by the players during the match. He noted that injuries, lack of preparation, and the pressure of matches affected the team’s readiness as desired, while emphasizing that the Gulf Cup provided him with a clear picture of the team and what it needs in the future.
He affirmed that criticism does not worry him, stating that he knows what he wants to achieve with the national team and that the next phase requires continuing work and building on what was shown during the tournament.
Kuwait had taken the lead in the sixth minute before conceding three goals in the second half, ending the match with an Omani victory by a score of 3-1. The “Blue Team” exited the tournament without any points, while Oman advanced to the semi-finals after the draw favored them over Iraq, which had been level with them in all respects after the conclusion of the Group A matches. (End) K.N.S./R.J.
