Bandar challenges Lebanese defenders for the ball.

DOHA, Dec 14: Kuwait will conclude its friendly matches in Doha, Qatar, with a final encounter against the Lebanese national team at 6:00 pm at the Qatar Club Stadium.

The Kuwaiti delegation is set to return from Doha tomorrow before beginning an internal camp on Wednesday to prepare for the upcoming "Khaleeji  Zain 26" Championship, which will be hosted by Kuwait from December 21 to January 3.

During its camp in Qatar, the Kuwaiti team previously played against Yemen, ending in a 1-1 draw, followed by a 2-1 loss to Lebanon last Thursday at Al-Ahli Stadium in Qatar.

In Thursday's match, Kuwait led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a goal from Bandar Borsli. However, the Lebanese team dominated the second half, with Qassim Al-Zain scoring the equalizer in the 75th minute. In the final moments of the match, Sami Marhej scored the winning goal for Lebanon in the 90th minute.

Kuwait's Argentine coach, Juan Pizzi, is expected to field the players he intends to rely on for the opening match of the "Gulf Zain 26" Championship, which will take place on Saturday against Oman.

Pizzi has made a point of including as many players as possible in the previous two friendlies, giving each of them the chance to prove themselves before finalizing the squad for the Gulf Championship. He has also focused on preparing the team thoroughly and ensuring the recovery of players who have faced injuries in recent months.

The draw for the "Gulf Cup Zain 26" placed Kuwait in Group A alongside Qatar, the UAE, and Oman, while Group B consists of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen.

Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff