Kuwait Delivers in Doha: Road to the Arab Cup Group Stage Paved with a 2-0 Win Over Mauritania

Road to the Arab Cup Group Stage

The Kuwaiti national team secured a place in the Arab Cup group stage by defeating Mauritania 2-0 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, opening the qualifying rounds for the tournament set to be hosted by Qatar from December 1 to 18.

Mohammed Daham struck in the 8th minute, and Mauritania’s Mohammed Nouh added an own goal in the 23rd, giving Kuwait a comfortable lead as Group C began to take shape. Kuwait joins United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan in the pool, with Egypt entering the tournament using a second-string lineup according to the reporting.

This victory represented Kuwait’s second win in six matches, alongside two draws and two losses, while Mauritania entered the day winless in six, with three draws and two previous losses on record.

Kuwait’s win came under the guidance of new coach Helio Sousa, marking his first official victory after a productive training camp in Cairo that included wins over Tanzania and a draw with Gambia.

On the Mauritanian side, coach Aritz Garai could not rely on several foreign-based players, and Mauritania exited the Arab Cup early for the second consecutive edition.

Match Report: Kuwait 2-0 Mauritania

Kuwait took the lead in the eighth minute when a cross played on the ground deflected off a Mauritanian defender and bobbled into the path of Mohamed Daham, who finished with ease past the goalkeeper.

Three minutes later, Mauritania’s Mohammed Nouh inadvertently redirected a Kuwaiti cross into his own net, doubling Kuwait’s advantage and setting the tone for the rest of the first half.

The opening period saw Kuwait defend solidly while Mauritania pressed in search of a reply, but the two-goal cushion kept the battle fairly even as the teams headed to the break.

The second half featured continued Mauritanian pressure and Kuwait’s sharp counters. A promising Kuwait buildup in the 51st minute fizzled as the final shot went wide, hinting at a possible third goal but not finding the target.

A Mauritanian goal in the 56th minute was ruled offside after a header, and Kuwait’s Khaled Al-Rashidi stood tall with several key saves to preserve the shutout as Mauritania pressed late.

As the game wore on, Mauritania’s urgency grew, but Kuwait’s defense held firm and the counterattacks remained dangerous, sealing a well-earned victory that sent Kuwait through to the Arab Cup group stage.

The 2025 Arab Cup edition features 16 teams, with nine direct qualifiers and seven remaining spots filled through a playoff involving 14 teams.

Kuwait secured the first direct slot from the qualifiers and will open Group C against Egypt next Tuesday, then face Jordan on December 6 and the UAE on December 9 in Lusail.

The tournament, hosted by Qatar, is staged across six stadiums used for the 2022 World Cup. Attendance and broadcasting figures reflect broad interest, with final matches scheduled for December 18 at Lusail Stadium on Qatar National Day.

All 16 participating teams are distributed across four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout rounds; the final is set for December 18 in Lusail, a national holiday in Qatar.

The Arab Cup is staged on venues with accessible public transport and inclusive facilities for fans with disabilities, ensuring a wide, family-friendly audience for the tournament's early rounds.

In case you’re wondering, Kuwait’s victory didn’t just boost morale; it also kept hope alive for a strong Arab Cup run, with Sousa’s squad promising more counter-attacking finesse as the group stage unfolds.

Final thoughts aside, if you’re keeping score: Kuwait 2-0 Mauritania. The rest of Group C will now be watching Egypt and Jordan try to respond, while Kuwait looks forward to a starched start against Egypt in the next round.

Punchline time: If goals were sniper shots, Kuwait’s attackers just hit a double bullseye with a calm, precise finish. Sniper-approved precision—minus the trench warfare, of course.

Punchline two: Mauritania’s defense might have been tactical, but Kuwait’s finishing was even more on target—proof that in football, sometimes the sharpest aim is just being in the right place at the right time.