BENGALURU: Bengaluru witnessed a resounding victory for Kuwait as they handed Pakistan a crushing 4-0 defeat in the ongoing SAFF Championship at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. With their second consecutive loss, Pakistan’s chances in the tournament seem bleak after a disappointing start.
Kuwait took an early lead in the 10th minute when Hasan Al Enezi found the back of the net. Just seven minutes later, Mubarak Al Faneni doubled Kuwait’s advantage, putting them in control of the match. Towards the end of the first half, Mubarak struck again, extending Kuwait’s lead and leaving Pakistan struggling to contain the onslaught.
Better luck next time, keep your heads high ⚽️#wearepakistanfootball #dilsayfootball #shaheens pic.twitter.com/Pd9uKbbglJ
— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) June 24, 2023
In the second half, Pakistan failed to halt Kuwait’s goal-scoring spree. Eid Al Rashedi further widened the gap, scoring in the 69th minute to make it 4-0 in favor of Kuwait. The comprehensive victory showcased Kuwait’s dominance and Pakistan’s struggles on the field.
Kuwait’s Performance in Tournament
Kuwait had previously defeated Nepal 3-1 in their opening match, further solidifying their strong performance in the tournament.
The 14th edition of the SAFF Championship features teams from India, Lebanon, Kuwait, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Lebanon and Kuwait, as guest teams from the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), are participating in the event, adding a competitive edge to the tournament.
With the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals, scheduled for July 1, Pakistan’s chances of progressing appear slim after their consecutive defeats. The tournament’s final is set to take place on July 4, as teams strive to claim the SAFF Championship title.
