Kuwait faces Iraq to revive hopes
Kuwait’s national team clings to its hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the 27th Gulf Cup (Khaleeji Al-Diyar Al-Arabiya 27) when it faces Iraq on Saturday at Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, in the second round of Group A matches. The group’s other fixture sees host Saudi Arabia take on Oman.
Helio Sousa, the Portuguese manager of the “Blue” team, aims to build on what the squad delivered in its first match, particularly in the first half, which displayed significant balance, in contrast to the second half, where performance declined on the attacking front.
Sousa is expected to address the errors that marred the performance and led to the defeat, whether in defensive organization, which faltered in the second half, or in the attacking sector, which virtually disappeared during that period.
Sousa likely realizes that continuing with the same conservative approach in tomorrow’s match against Iraq would be akin to an uncertain gamble, especially since the opponent, having watched the “Blue” team’s first match, will also be playing for a win after its opening draw, aiming to avoid entering the complex calculations of the final round, where it will face host Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait’s national team must seize the initiative, avoid playing on the back foot, and allow its players freedom to utilize their potential, free from the constraints that hampered their performance against Saudi Arabia.
It remains unclear whether Sousa will continue his previous approach of making near-complete changes to the lineup from one match to the next, as he did in the “Blue” team’s last official appearance at the Arab Cup, a decision that drew mixed reactions, with both support and criticism.
The physical condition of Kuwait’s players will be under scrutiny, as their fitness levels appeared affected against Saudi Arabia, possibly due to the challenging atmospheric conditions.
On the Iraqi side, despite changes to the squad list following the 2026 World Cup, Australian manager Graham Arnold continues to rely on traditional elements, including goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, defenders Zaid Hussein and Akam Hashim, midfielder Ibrahim Bayesh, and striker Ayman Hussein.
The team also continues to suffer from a clear weakness in its defensive line, which was evident in its match against Oman.
In the second match, host Saudi Arabia aims to secure a place in the semifinals by defeating Oman, which is also seeking to revive its hopes after its draw with Iraq.
Georgios Donis, the Greek manager of the “Green” team, is expected to make changes to the lineup based on the performance of several players against Kuwait, whether they were starters or brought on as substitutes.
On the Omani side, the team is expected to adopt a cautious approach to avoid a defeat that would further complicate its position in the race for qualification.
