DOHA, April 21: Kuwait's under-23 football team coach, Emilio Peixe from Portugal, emphasized the importance of facing formidable opponents like Uzbekistan as a crucial learning experience for his players.

"In this tournament, Uzbekistan stands out as one of the strong contenders, providing invaluable challenges that contribute to our players' growth and development," Peixe remarked during a post-match press conference following Uzbekistan's commanding 5-0 win over Kuwait in the Asian Cup held in Doha.

With Kuwait's premature exit from the tournament after suffering two defeats, including a 1-3 loss to Vietnam in the group stage, Peixe acknowledged the necessity for his team to showcase a different performance against Malaysia in their upcoming match, aiming to glean maximum benefits from their participation.

He emphasized the tournament's role in player development, stressing the team's commitment to nurturing talent for the future.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's coach, Timur Kabadze, expressed satisfaction with his team's triumph over Kuwait. Kabadze highlighted the challenges posed by Kuwait's defensive tactics but praised his team's adaptability, which led to a resounding victory in the second half.

Kuwait's lackluster performance against Uzbekistan drew criticism for its disorganization and sporadic play. The team struggled to pose a threat to its opponent's goal, reflecting the effectiveness of Uzbekistan's cohesive defensive strategy.

In another match of the same group at Khalifa International Stadium, Vietnam secured a 2-0 victory over Malaysia.

As the tournament progresses, Uzbekistan tops Group Four with six points, followed closely by Vietnam also with six points. Malaysia sits third with no points, while Kuwait trails in fourth place, also with no points. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals.

Today's fixtures include the UAE facing China, Japan against South Korea, Thailand taking on Tajikistan, and Saudi Arabia meeting Iraq in anticipated matchups.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff