Saudi Arabia defeats Kuwait in Gulf Cup opening

CAIRO – 23 December 2017 : Saudi Arabia defeated Kuwait 2-1 on Friday night in the Gulf Cup opening game. The game was played at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait.

Kuwaiti Emir Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah opened the competition in the prescence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Saudi Arabia, who is participating in the tournament with their second team, dominated the game from its start, opening the scoring through a goal by Salman Al Moashir after a beautiful pass from Ahmed El Fraidi. Kuwaiti players created many chances to equalize the score, but they failed, ending the first half 1-0 for the visitors.

In the second half, Moashir passed the ball to Saudi Arabia striker Mukhtar Falata, who scored the second goal for Saudi Arabia in the 52nd minute. Eight minutes later, Abdullah Al Buraiki scored Kuwait’s only goal in the game after a great strike.

Kuwait had many opportunities to score through Bader Al Motawaa and Faisal Al Enezi, but Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper, Asaf Al Qarny, saved all their chances, ending the game 2-1.

Saudi Arabia plays in Group A alongside Oman, UAE and the host nation, Kuwait.