Kuwait Crashes Out of AFC U-23 Qualifiers After Heavy Defeat to Japan
Kuwait’s Olympic soccer team has been eliminated from the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers following a devastating 6-1 loss to Japan in their final Group B match at Thuwunna Stadium in Myanmar.
Needing a win to secure qualification, Kuwait ended their campaign with just four points, finishing alongside Afghanistan and host nation Myanmar, both of whom also failed to progress. Japan dominated the group, advancing with a perfect record of nine points.
Kuwait had sparked early hope, taking the lead in the 10th minute through Ahmed Boudi, who struck with composure. However, Japan responded nine minutes later when Takumo Kawai scored an equalizer, capitalizing on a critical goalkeeping error. The match began to tip heavily in Japan’s favor when a penalty conceded by Nasser Khid in the 32nd minute gave them the lead.
Before the half-time whistle, Japan extended their advantage further with goals from Kawai, netting his second, and Ryonzuki Wada, sending the teams into the break with Japan leading 4-1.
In an effort to change the game’s trajectory, Kuwait coach Dario Basic made strategic substitutions, introducing Mohammed Al-Surayei, Montaser Abdulsalam, Jarrah Al-Helli, and Mohammed Isa. Yet, the tactical adjustments did little to halt Japan’s momentum. Two additional goals in the second half sealed the emphatic 6-1 victory for the Japanese side.
Kuwait’s counterattacks were consistently repelled, and the side failed to create any substantial offensive rhythm in the latter stages of the game.
The result concluded a campaign of unfulfilled promise for Kuwait, who began the qualifiers with ambition and potential, but ultimately fell short due to defensive errors, poor organization, and an inability to match Japan’s tactical discipline and clinical finishing.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
