KUWAIT, May 15 (KUNA) -- Spanish Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho said on Tuesday that he hoped to have a good and exciting match tomorrow between his team and Kuwait's national team, without injuries to players from both sides.
Mourinho said, in a press conference after arrival along with his team, that this is his first visit to Kuwait, an importance one to him and for the team because "they came to play football and make the fans enjoy the game, despite exhaustion which most players are suffering from." The coach also added his team played vital and important matches, but in recent days training was suspended for several days.
"The team came to play a friendly match and with first team lineup, but two different set of formation and players pick," Mourinho said, adding that his team will not any training before the match, relaxing at the swimming pool." "I know there are many football fans in the Gulf, especially in Kuwait, who were keen to watch recent matches of Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu," Mourinho added.
"I respect Kuwaiti football national team which qualified for the World Cup in Spain in 1982, they played good matches back then," said Mourinho.
Mourinho, a Portuguese, said that he knew an old friend who is also from Portuguese, and was currently Kuwaiti Al-Arabi football team Coach, Jose Romao, noting that he hoped to meet him and get to know the Kuwaiti football more.
Regarding the timing and reason for the visit, Mourinho said that he preferred to play after the season was over, and before the players goes to official holidays, especially to some players who will be joining their national teams ahead of the Euro 2012 Championship.
Mourinho added that he preferred to play at his time, instead of having to play the match in August or July.
For his part, Kuwaiti national team Captain Jarrah Al-Atiqi said during the same press conference that he hopes the team play well and represent the team with a good performance. (end) bsu.mb KUNA 152359 May 12NNNN