Egypt's Mohamed Magdy celebrates after scoring the equaliser. PIC: RAJAN VADAKKEMURIYIL/THE PENINSULA
Doha, Qatar: Egypt salvaged a point after holding Kuwait to a 1-1 draw in their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Group C match at the Lusail Stadium yesterday.
Mohammad Daham scored the opener for Kuwait and Egypt missed a penalty before Mohamed Magdy converted a late spot kick.
The result keeps both teams in the hunt for a knockout place in the group which also includes Jordan and the UAE.
Egypt pushed hard from the kickoff, with Kuwait goalkeeper Suod Al Houshan being forced to work hard.
Ghanam Mohamed’s attempt from a sharp strike from distance was saved in the top centre in the opening minute, while Mohamed Elneny was denied three minutes later. Yassin Marei and Ragab Nabil then sent headed attempts over the bar as Egypt controlled possession and territory within six minutes.
Kuwait also threatened in the 29th minute, with Mohammad Daham’s precise free-kick which was deflected by Yousef Nasser.
Egypt soon earned a penalty when Abdulwahab Alawadhi brought down Islam Issa in the 36th minute, but Amr ElSoleya’s spot kick went wide. Al Houshan then denied Egypt again in the 45th minute when he pushed away Elneny’s effort.
Egypt maintained pressure after the break. Mohamed Sherif of Egypt missed another opportunity in the 59th minute before Kuwait’s Nasser Faleh’s attempt flew wide.
Kuwait finally struck in the 64th minute.
Mohammad Daham swung in a corner kick and Fahed Al Hajri rose high to head the ball into the top right corner, giving the Blues lead.
Kuwait nearly extended the lead in the 81st minute through Daham who was set up by substitute Eid Al Rashidi, before it was saved by Egypt custodian Mojamed Bassam.
Two minutes later, Al Houshan received a second yellow card for fouling Marwan Hamdy, and Egypt made the best out of the opportunity. Mohamed Afsha sent substitute keeper Sulaiman Abdulghafour the wrong way to level in the 83rd minute.
Egypt pressed for a winner in the closing minutes, but Kuwait held firm to secure a point from a demanding contest to snatch a point in front of 24,632 spectators at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final venue.
Despite the draw, Abdulghafour was happy with the point earned.
“Thank God. We took a point. Our ambition was to win. It was clear that the players stayed focused for the full ninety minutes. But small details decided it at the end with the penalty,” Abdulghafour said in a post match interview.
“We were playing against Egypt, one of the best Arab teams and a top African side. Everyone knows the strength of the Egyptian national team. I do not care if it is their first team or second team. Their players are at a high level. Many play in Africa and Europe. We know them well, but we still came into the match aiming for victory,” Abdulghafour said.
“We played a very good match with strong organisation. Egypt did not create many real chances, even though they were the better team in terms of numbers and statistics,” Abdulghafour said.
Kuwait meet Jordan on Saturday in their second group clash, while Egypt face the UAE on the same day.
