Saudi Arabia beats Kuwait 2-1 in 23rd Gulf Cup opener

KUWAIT, Dec 23 (KUNA) -- Saudi Arabia defeated Kuwait 2-1 in the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup in a clash that inaugurated the popular Gulf football championship at Jaber International Stadium on Friday.
Saudi Arabia's Salman Al-Musher received a pass from Ahmad Al-Furaidi to scored his team's first goal in the 13th minute of the game.
Kuwait tried hard to equalize the score, launching relentless attacks and pressed the Saudis but all bids were fruitless.
The Saudis boosted their lead in the second half by Mukhtar Fallatah, who scored the team's second goal in the 52nd minute.
Manager Boris Bunjak sent Abdullah Al-Buraiki from the bench to the pitch after the second Saudi goal.
Al-Buraiki received his first ball since coming to the game from Captain Bader Al-Mutawwa, to convert the assist into the nets of Assaf Al-Qarni in the 55th minute.
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia met for 20 times throughout the history of the Gulf Cups. Kuwait won eight times against five for the Saudis. The two teams drew seven times.
Kuwait won the Gulf Cup for a record 10 times. Saudi Arabia won it for three times. (end) fs.bs