Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait in Gulf Cup opener

Kuwait City:  Saudi Arabia started their campaign in the Group A fixture of the Gulf Cup with a 2-1 win over hosts Kuwait at the Jaber International Stadium on Friday.

Salman Al Moasher and Mukhtar Fallatah were on target on either side of half-time in Saudi Arabia’s big win over Kuwait.

Al Moasher opened the scoring for the Saudis in the 13th minute when he struck from close range after some poor defending from the Kuwaitis.

Al Moasher was just barely on side as he received a brilliant pass from Saudi skipper Ahmed Alfraidi. He then needed just one touch to control the ball before slotting it home into the bottom-left corner of goal against the charging Kuwaiti goalkeeper Hameed Al Qallaf.

Al Moasher was then involved in creating the second goal for Saudi in the 52nd minute. He did most of the work as he outsmarted his Kuwait marker and passed to a waiting Fallatah in front of goal, and all he needed to do was tap the ball home.

Kuwait got one back, much to the delight of their home fans, just eight minutes later.

Abdulla Al Buraiki fired in a brilliant volley from the right of the box despite the best efforts of the Saudi back line and goalkeeper Assaf Al Qami. Al Buraiki shot across the face of goal and into the far corner of the net.

Al Buraiki received a great pass from teammate Redha Abujabarah after the Saudis gave up possession.

Kuwait had arguably its best chance to equalise with five minutes remaining in regular time but a header from Fahad Alenezi was just inches off the target. Then, in the 90th minute, a well-hit header from Faisal Al Harbi was brilliantly stopped by a diving Al Qami, preserving the Saudis their single-goal victory.