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Observer
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
S. Korea beat Kuwait 4-0 to keep unbeaten record
SEOUL: Korea Republic closed out their campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over Kuwait in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers — Road to 26 on Tuesday. The win meant Korea Republic ended their campaign unbeaten with 22 points, with Kuwait finishing at the foot of the table. Having already secured their 11th consecutive and 12th overall Fifa World Cup appearance, Korea Republic dominated the proceedings but Lee Han-beom, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Bae Jun-ho attempts fell off target. Kuwait remained calm under pressure as Korea Republic maintained the intensity with Oh seeing his attempt from distance blocked, while Bae brought the best out Kuwait custodian Sulaiman Abdulghafoor following Lee Kang-in's set-up in the 19th minute. Korea Republic finally broke the deadlock in the 30th minute after Hwang In-beom's corner bounced off Kuwait captain Fahad Al Hajeri before sailing past keeper Abdulghafoor. The Al Arabi SC custodian had to be on his toes moments later to deny Won Du-jae's close range header before foiling Lee's dangerous cross into the area. Kuwait, whose hopes of advancing to the playoffs were dashed following a 2-0 defeat to Palestine last Thursday, struggled to settle in the second half as Korea Republic turned up the intensity with Lee again threatening from outside the box. The East Asian side doubled their tally in the 50th minute after Bae played a through ball for Lee, who finished brilliantly past Abdulghafoor for his 11th goal for Korea Republic. The momentum carried Korea Republic further in front three minutes later after Bae Jun-ho nodded down Hwang In-beom's deep ball into the box for Oh Hyeon-gyu to finish on the turn. Abdulghafoor denied Won's headed attempt from close range in the 72nd minute before Kim Ju-sung saw his header from inside the six-yard-box denied by the bar. But there was no denying Korea Republic as they went 4-0 up moments later after Kuwait failed to clear the ball with Lee Jae-Sung striking home a low shot which took a deflection before settling in the back of the net to seal the emphatic victory. — AFC
Observer
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Al Arabi edge Seeb in first leg of quarters
Muscat: Kuwait's Al Arabi SC Bandar al Salamah netted the winner for his team in the dying minutes against Seeb club in the first leg tie of quarterfinals at 2024-25 AFC Challenge League on Wednesday night at Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium. With the triumph, the Kuwaiti side put one foot in semifinals and have better advantage in the return match next Wednesday at the Seeb Stadium. The winners of this match will face the winners between East Bengal of India against FC Arkadag in the semifinal. Hosts Al Arabi SC snatched a crucial victory while Seeb still have 90 minutes to revive their hopes and secure slot in the semifinals of the Asian event. The first half ended in a goalless draw as both teams missed several scoring opportunities. The home side were the first to begin the attacking through Ali Khalaf's spectacular long-range effort in the 19th minute narrowly missing the target. Seeb's Ali al Busaidy responded with the first attempt but his shot was saved by Sulaiman Abdulghafoor. The host players worked hard to score the opening goal prior to the end of the first half through movement of Powei Christopher and Anayo Iwuala while Zaher al Aghbari tried from Seeb side but the score remained a goalless draw. Seeb and Al Arabi players fight for the ball. In the second half, both teams employed a defensive approach. Al Arabi head coach Nasser al Shatti and Seeb head coach Nikola Djurovic did some substitutions to energise the match by entering fresh players. Al Arabi was very close to break the deadlock in the 47th minute but Ali Khalaf's effort missed the target. In the 75th minute, Omar al Fazari tried to score through a strong header but hit the bar with goalkeeper Abdulghafoor well beaten. In the dying minutes, Hamed al Qallaf sent a perfect cross which was headed in by Bandar al Salamah to deliver a crucial 1-0 goal. Bandar's extra celebrations over the goal handed him a second yellow card and will miss the second leg match. In the additional time, Seeb could not score the equaliser as the match ended in favour of Al Arabi 1-0.
