Kuwait U-19 team looks to bounce back against Saudi Arabia

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TAIF, Saudi Arabia, June 26: The Kuwaiti under-19 team is set to face the host Saudi team at 9: 00 pm at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taif, Saudi Arabia, in the second round of the first group competitions of the West Asian Championship. Earlier, at 5:00 pm, the Omani and Yemeni teams will clash at the same venue.

In the first round, Kuwait lost 1-2 to Oman, while Yemen and Saudi Arabia ended their match in a 2-2 draw. The tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups, with matches being held at King Fahd Sports City Stadium and Okaz Club Stadium, continuing until July 5.

The teams compete in a single-stage league system in the first round. The top team from each group, along with the best second-placed team across all groups, advances to the semi-finals.

Despite its initial loss, Kuwait demonstrated a strong performance in the second half against Oman, creating numerous opportunities but failing to equalize. Croatian coach Dario Pesic focused on addressing defensive lapses in a recent training session, emphasizing the need for proper organization to secure a positive result and enhance its chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Coach Dario Pesic is expected to make some changes to improve performance and secure a victory, as a defeat would significantly hinder their qualification prospects, while a draw would also diminish its chances.

This tournament is part of Kuwait’s preparation for the Asian Cup qualifiers, with group competitions set for September. Following the West Asian Championship, the team will resume training in Kuwait before heading to Serbia for an external camp from mid-July to August 6 in preparation for the qualifiers.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/ArabTimes Staff

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