Kuwait head coach Nabil Maaloul has instructed his side to aim for a consolation win in their last Asian Cup Group A match against Oman on Saturday, with both sides exiting the tournament after two defeats.
It is "important to exit the tournament third in the group," said Maaloul, whose side were defeated by hosts Australia and South Korea respectively, and for the squad to go home with their heads held high after the heavy 5-0 loss inflicted in the recent Gulf Cup by the Omanis, he explained.
The Tunisian coach, who had former spells with his country's national side and Qatari outfit Al-Jaish, blamed "bad luck" and a "group consisting tough teams" on his side's two defeats.
In the meantime, he expressed his admiration of Oman's style of play at the Asian Cup, in spite of their similar early exit, emphasising that the side over two defeats "displayed strength and speed with a unit-based attack and a well-organised defense at the back." Speaking about the Kuwaiti side's ambitions, after having just signed an 18-month deal to coach Al-Azrag in early December, he said it was to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and to prepare for the next Gulf Cup due in January 2016.
He however conceded that this task will require the "cooperation of all - officials, players and technical staff - in taking firm stances to develop football in Kuwait." The encounter with Oman on Saturday was dubbed "crucial and extremely difficult" by defender Fahad Al-Hajeri, who referred to the fixture's "rivalry" status being against two nations of close proximity.
Kuwait, who were defeated 5-0 by Australia and 1-0 by South Korea, can beat their opponents if they come well-prepared, he said, expressing support of his coach who he described as being "able to develop the team's performances and utilize the squad's abilities."
Source: KUNA