Kuwait's star defender, Fahad Al-Hajri, emphasized that the upcoming match against their Emirati counterparts will be more than just a casual game; it's a crucial and challenging encounter, given both teams' desire to secure qualification and remain in contention. These remarks come as Gulf football fans eagerly anticipate this classic derby, a clash between two of the region's most established footballing traditions.
During the press conference held on Monday to discuss the details of the match, Al-Hajri said: "We are facing a very important and difficult match for both sides, as both teams are entering the field with their eyes on the three points and the win in order to qualify. We hope to be ready and to show the required technical and physical level that qualifies us to achieve our ambitions and the ambitions of the Kuwaiti sports community.".
Al-Hajri added in his analysis of the Kuwaiti "Blue" team's performance: "We are fully aware that the UAE team is a very tough and stubborn opponent with outstanding players, but we, on the other hand, possess determination and resolve. We delivered a great and tactical performance against the Egyptian national team, and we also had an outstanding second half against the Jordanian national team. This improvement in performance gives us a great incentive. We look forward to a distinguished performance tomorrow, and we will play with full focus and determination, doing our utmost to give our best to please our loyal fans who expect a lot from us.".
The importance of the Gulf derby and the qualification calculations
Matches between Kuwait and the UAE always have a special character that transcends the pitch, considered among the most intense and historically exciting Gulf derbies. The Kuwaiti national team, with its rich history and dominance in the Gulf region with 10 Gulf Cup titles, enters this match seeking to reclaim its continental and regional glory, relying on a blend of experience and youth in its current squad.
The importance of this match stems from its being the third and final round of the group stage, a crucial round where qualification is at stake. Teams at this stage play under immense psychological pressure, as a single mistake could cost them their place in the tournament. This is what Al-Hajri emphasized when he stressed the importance of "determination" and "focus" as decisive factors, alongside technical aspects.
Kuwait is scheduled to face the UAE on Tuesday in the final match of the Arab Cup group stage. Kuwait enters the match in fourth place in the group standings with one point, making a win their only option to shake up the group standings and compete for a qualifying spot. Meanwhile, the UAE team is also looking to improve their position and secure a place in the knockout stages.
