Caitlin Dillon
Saudi Arabia were left stunned in the first game of their 24th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, as Kuwait went 2-0 up just before half time.
With the majority of the first half playing out on an even-keel, Saudi Arabia had created numerous chances. In the tenth minute the Saudi skipper, Yahia Alshehri, was faced with an open goal but blundered, putting the ball wide from the penalty spot. In the 30th minute, a similar situation ensued for Sultan Alghannam.
Despite Saudi appearing marginally stronger in the first half, Kuwait were awarded a free kick in the 43rd minute. The shot rebounded before being converted by Ahmad Aldheffery, assisted by Bader Al Mut, and the team, and the crowd, were re-energised. Three minutes later, the Kuwaiti skipper Al Mutawaa assisted a second goal, slotted by Sami Al Sanea, dealing a double blow to a stunned Saudi squad.
A string of injuries for Kuwait followed in the second half, resulting in two players being substituted off, and Mobarak Alfaneeni coming off the bench. In the 90th minute, Alfaneeni ensured he got his name on the scoresheet, making it 3-0 for Kuwait as the stadium erupted.
As it all appeared to be over, Saudi Arabia’s Feras Tariq saw his opportunity, slotting the ball past Hameed Said Yousef with the last kick of the match, before sinking, deflated, to the floor, ending the match 3-1.
Despite Saudi Arabia going unbeaten by Kuwait in the competition since 2013, tonight Kuwait proved to the region exactly how they became ten-time Arabian Gulf champions.