Kuwait climbed to the highest of Group A and took a large leap in the direction of a berth within the 2023 SAFF Championships semifinals with a 4-0 win towards Pakistan on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium right here on Saturday.
With the loss, Pakistan’s possibilities of making it to the semifinal is all however over after failing to seize a single level in two matches.
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Starting on the frontfoot, the Al-Azraq obtained their first likelihood within the third minute when Salman Mohammad was fouled on the fringe of the Pakistan field by Mamoon Moosa. Harun Hamid took the freekick however couldn’t preserve his effort on the right track.
The breakthrough got here within the tenth minute. Mobarak Alfaneeni, who had time and area on the best flank, swung a low cross contained in the field. The Pakistan backline was too gradual in coping with the menace, and the ball reached Hassan Alanezi on the back-post. Bringing the ball beneath management, Alanezi slotted the ball inside the web on the volley.
Seven minutes later, Rui Bento’s males grabbed their second of the match. Pakistan had dedicated plenty of our bodies forward for a nook however misplaced possession, which invited a counter-attack from Kuwait. Eid Alrashidi darted down the best touchline with acres of area forward. Having a glance up, he noticed Alfaneeni on the far-post and unfold the ball to him. Yousuf Butt ventured forward to slender down the angle, however Alfaneeni’s shot was exact as he rattled the top-right nook.
The Pak Shaheens had an opportunity to drag a objective again within the twentieth minute. Muhammad Waheed obtained on the finish of a cross from the best flank from Otis Khan and linked properly along with his head. Kuwait keeper Bader Bin Saanoun was scrambling as he noticed the ball creep previous the publish for a goal-kick.
It appeared like Kuwait could be taking a two-goal lead into half-time, but it surely grabbed its third in further time.
It was a howler in defence for Pakistan as Mamoon’s backpass to his keeper was intercepted by Alrashidi. He made his method contained in the field and shot on the objective, however Easah Suliman blocked the preliminary effort. However, the rebound fell to Alfaneeni, who scooped the ball over Butt to seize his brace.
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The second-half didn’t present any respite to Shahzad Anwar’s males as Kuwait saved hounding the Pakistan defence with attacking threats.
Pakistan created a uncommon likelihood within the sixty fifth minute when Waleed Khan obtained on the finish of a cross from Otis from the left. He slid in to make contact and did handle to get a contact of the ball, guiding it in the direction of objective. However, the trouble was weak and straight at Saanoun, who confirmed good reflexes to make the save.
The Al-Azraq grabbed their fourth within the 69th minute. It was an unbelievable solo effort by Alrashidi as he ventured contained in the Pakistan field after using a few challenges. After a few stepovers, he lashed the ball inside the web, capping off a dominant efficiency by Kuwait.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com