Kuwait get first win

Sunday, 08 July 2012 12:13

Amman: AFC U-19 Championship 2012 contenders Kuwait downed Jordan 1-0 and clinched their first win in the Arab U-20 Championship at King Abdullah Stadium in the Jordanian capital of Amman on Saturday. A handball by Jordan’s Laith Al-Shinnawi in the box after a corner for the Kuwaitis resulted in a penalty in the 37 minute which Mohammad Al-Bathal converted. Nasser Bonyan, head of the Kuwaiti mission, has hailed the team’s performance although they did not have adequate training for the championship. “Despite the sort time of preparing of the championship only ten days ago, the team was able to defeat strong competitors during the last few days,” Bonyan told Kuwait News Agency. “The championship, being hosted by Jordan until July 18, gains more significance in the eyes of the Kuwait team due to the fact that it takes place shortly before the start of the Asian finals.” The Kuwaitis opened their Arab U-20 Championship campaign with a 3-2 loss to Sudan and will next face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in the third round of the two-week competition which sees seven AFC member associations and five member nations of the Confederation of African Football competing. Kuwait were drawn alongside hosts UAE, Japan and IR Iran into Group A of the AFC U-19 Championship’s group stage to be held on November 3-8. They will open their campaign against the UAE on November 3.