Less than a week out from the start of the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup™, the first of two days of qualification action has helped clarify the final field that will feature at the regional showpiece.
In Al Rayyan, winger Mohammad Daham dazzled as Kuwait eased past Mauritania 2-0. Later in the day, Syria comfortably dispatched South Sudan by the same scoreline, while Palestine needed penalties to beat Libya after a goalless draw.
Kuwait goals: Daham (8), Mohamed own goal (24)
It was the Mohammad Daham show in the first qualifier as the electric winger scored one and created the other in Kuwait’s fairly straightforward win over Mauritania in Al Rayyan.
The reigning Kuwait Premier League Player of the Year was on hand to nod home the opener at the back post in just the eighth minute, following a deflected Rashed Al Dousari cross.
Then it was the 25 year-old’s teasing cross that lured Mauritania defender Nouh Mohamed into a touch that flew past his own goalkeeper to send Kuwait to the break with a two-goal advantage.
Mauritania had a Hacen El Id effort ruled out for offside just shy of the hour but an organised Kuwait saw things out to set up Group C dates with Egypt, Jordan and United Arab Emirates.
Syria goals: Al-Hallak (52), Al Mawas (59)
Syria continued their excellent form this calendar year by comfortably defeating a plucky South Sudan team to reach the FIFA Arab Cup group stage.
South Sudan bravely held off the Syria attack in the opening half. But they fell a goal behind in the 52nd minute after brilliant play down the right wing from Mahmoud Al Aswad, who crossed for Mohammad Al-Hallak to convert from close range.
That goal immediately changed the trajectory of the game, with captain Mahmoud Al-Mawas doubling the lead seven minutes later with an exquisite strike into the top corner.
Syria twice came close to extending their advantage late on through Al Aswad and Al-Hallak as South Sudan’s wait to qualify for their first major tournament continued.
Palestine are through to the group stage after edging Libya in a penalty shootout.
They enjoyed the better run of play in the first half and had the best looks at goal, first through a left-footed effort from Oday Dabbagh that missed the target, followed by Mustafa Zeidan hooking a right-footer wide of the mark from inside the area.
Libya found their footing in the second half and nearly had an opener when Ezzeddin Elmaremi swung a shot wide, followed later by a gilt-edged chance for Mahmoud Alshalwi that was spoiled. Back came Palestine and Libya goalkeeper Ayman Altihar was called on to save a well-struck volley from Hamed Hamdan.
Libya made a notable switch right before the full-time whistle, as Altihar made way for Abdelhadi Yassin with penalties looming, but it was Palestine’s Rami Hamada stealing the show by saving a spot kick before a missed attempt from Maruwan Alhibeeshi secured their progress.
The field is now set in Group A of the regional showpiece, which contains hosts Qatar, Tunisia, Syria and Palestine.
Kuwait images courtesy of Abdulrahman Al-Ali/Kuwait Football Association
