SAFF Championship: Kuwait Defeats Nepal 3-1

In the first match of the SAFF Championship held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Kuwait showcased their dominance by defeating Nepal 3-1. The victory extends Kuwait’s unbeaten streak against Nepal to 10 matches, leaving the Nepali team still searching for their first win.

Right from the start, Kuwait asserted their control over the game, particularly during the first half. Khaled Hajiah and Shabaib Al-Khaldi were instrumental in Kuwait’s success, as they found the back of the net, securing a two-goal lead. Nepal’s defense struggled to contain Kuwait’s relentless attacks, making it easy for the Kuwaiti players to maneuver around their opponents.

The second half witnessed a continuation of Kuwait’s dominance. The Kuwaiti team maintained their offensive pressure on Nepal, with Mohmmad Abdullah successfully converting a penalty midway through the half, further extending Kuwait’s lead to 3-0.

Nepal, however, refused to back down and intensified their efforts to mount a comeback. Their perseverance paid off when Anjan Bista found the back of the net, scoring his 12th goal for Nepal and becoming only the third Nepali player to score against Kuwait. Despite their improved performance, Nepal’s lack of confidence in the attacking third prevented them from creating enough scoring opportunities to turn the tide of the game.

Nepal will go head-to-head against India on June 24.