Kuwait tests its readiness against Yemen

The “Blue” team will face their Yemeni counterparts at 7:30 p.m. today in a friendly match held behind closed doors at the Saudi Football Federation Training Center in Jeddah, as part of their preparation program for the “Gulf Cup 27” tournament, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from September 23 to October 6. The match carries special significance as it serves as the Blue team’s final trial before entering the official competitive atmosphere. The technical staff, led by Portuguese coach Hélio Souza, aims to assess the players’ readiness, test various tactical and technical options, and achieve the highest possible level of cohesion before the tournament begins.

The national team’s squad has been completed with the arrival of eight players from Al-Kuwait Club to the camp after their participation in the first round of the AFC Champions League Two against Al-Wahda of the UAE. The players are: Khalid Al-Rashidi, Saud Al-Houshan, Mohsen Falah, Reza Hani, Ahmed Al-Zafiri, Abdullah Al-Qarzazi, Mohammed Daham, and Yousef Nasser. This provides Souza with broader options for the upcoming match, especially with the Gulf Cup deadline approaching.

The Blue team’s delegation arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday from the Qatari capital, Doha, following the conclusion of a one-week camp. During this period, they underwent an intensive training program at the Aspire Academy facilities, focusing on physical, technical, and tactical aspects, as well as enhancing on-field cohesion among the players.

During the Doha camp, the national team played a friendly match against Qatari club Lusail, which they won 2-1, before moving to Jeddah to complete their preparations and face Yemen in their final friendly test.

The Blue team will kick off their campaign in the “Gulf Cup 27” by facing the host Saudi national team on September 23, followed by a match against Iraq on September 26. They will conclude their group stage matches with a game against Oman on September 29, as part of Group One.