SAFF Championship 2023: Kuwait vs Nepal Live Blog, news, Live Updates, and Match Report

Kuwait demolished Nepal by 3-1 in the opening fixture of the SAFF Championship 2023 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. Kuwait found the back of the net two times in the first half while Nepal were struggling to cop up against the opposition. They came back strongly in the second half and dominated possession but still, Kuwait extended their lead by 3-0 20 minutes into the second half. Nepal pulled one back but it wasn't enough to beat the Kuwatis from that kind of a comfortable situation.

Read Also: SAFF Championship 2023: India vs Pakistan Live Blog, news, and Live Updates

SAFF Championship 2023: Match Report

First Half:

Kuwait dominated right from the start of the match. Nepal were pressing aggressively and nearly found a goal after just 4 minutes into the game. Kuwait's backline was caught sleeping beside the centre back who got the last touch and prevented a certain opening goal for Nepal. They found another huge opportunity in the 20th minute when the forward, Shrestha couldn't capitalise off a mistake from the Kuwait defender in the box and skied his effort high. After that, it was all Kuwait who controlled the first half.

Khaled Al Hajiah scored from the corner for Kuwait after a poor effort by the Nepal keeper to catch the incoming corner. They continued bombarding the opposition's defense and nearly found another goal in the 36th minute. Mohammad Abdullah's headed effort hit the crossbar. Eventually, they scored their second one. Shabib Al-Khaldi was the goal scorer for Kuwait. He controlled the ball brilliantly in the box after receiving a cross from the left off a counter-attack. It ended 2-0 in the first half.

Second Half:

Nepal tried to frustrate the opposition with some aggressive tackling. Anjan Bista was shown the first yellow card of the match just six minutes into the second half. Kuwait did some changes and the third goal arrived in the 65th minute. Mohammed Daham scored the third goal for Kuwait. It was a penalty taken with conviction after a poor handball by Rohit Kumar from Nepal in the box.

Nepal pulled one back in the 69th minute. A back pass towards the Kuwaiti goal was intercepted by No.14 Anjan Bista and he had a clear run at the goal and easily slotted it past the Goalkeeper. Nepal enjoyed possession in the second half but they were losing the balls too casually. It helped Kuwait to hit them back in the counters but failed to capitalise on the chances to extend the lead. The match ended with a 3-1 scoreline in favour of Kuwait and they started their campaign with a healthy 3 points.

The Nepal coach, Vincenzo Alberto Annese said after the game, "I believe we can do better than this. We hope we will be less afraid in the next game and will attack more."

SAFF Championship 2023 | Kuwait vs Nepal: Live Blog

3:16 P.M. | Starting Lineups

Nepal's lineup in a 4-3-3 formation:

16 KIRAN KUMAR LIMBU
3 BIMAL PANDEY
4 ANANTA TAMANG
7 LAKEN LIMBU
8 ARIK BISTA
14 ANJAN BISTA
15 PUJAN UPARKOTI
18 NAWAYUG SHRESTHA
20 SANISH SHRESTHA
21 MANISH DANGI
23 ROHIT CHAND

Kuwait's lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation:

1 ABDULRAHMAN MARZOUQ
4 KHALED HAJIAH
7 ATHBI SALEH
9 MOHAMMAD DAHAM
10 SHABIB AL-KHALDI
12 HAMAD AL-HARBI
13 ABDULLAH AL-FAHAD
14 REDHA ABUJABARAH
15 HAMAD AL-QALLAF
16 MOBARAK AL-FANEENI
18 FAWAZ AL-OTAIB

3:29 P.M. | Kuwait vs Nepal

The players are on the pitch now. The National Anthems are about to be sung shortly.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 1′ (1st half)

Kuwait kicks off. They're in deep blue kits attacking from left to right. While Nepal is in the red kits from right to left.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 2′ (1st half)

Kuwait controlling possession early on in the game. Nepal can hardly touch the ball.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 4′ (1st half) | Nepal with a huge opportunity

Some fantastic pressing from Nepal created that opportunity. Kuwait's backline was caught sleeping beside the centre back who got the last touch and prevented a certain opening goal for Nepal. Kuwait Coach Bento was on his knees!

Kuwait vs Nepal | 7′ (1st half) | Kuwait gets their first major set piece opportunity!

Hamad Al Harbi has fallen down in the Nepal box while attacking a free-kick from a dangerous position on the left.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 11′ (1st half) | Nepal are managing the situation quite brilliantly

Fawaz Alotaib took a long-range effort but it goes wide from the Nepal goal.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 13′ (1st half) | Injury for Nepal

Pujan Uparkoti played a quick one-two with his right back but was caught from behind by a Kuwait player. Physios stormed into the pitch and he should be alright to continue.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 20′ (1st half) | Brilliant opportunity for Nepal

Forward Shrestha couldn't capitalise off a mistake from the Kuwait defender in the box and skied his effort high!

Kuwait vs Nepal | 23′ (1st half) | Goal!!!.. for Kuwait

Khaled Al Hajiah scores from the corner after a poor effort by the keeper to catch the incoming corner

Kuwait vs Nepal | 26′ (1st half) | Foul on Nepal forward Laken Limbu

After Kuwait's corner, this scenario was created. Nepal's high pressing in the Kuwait midfield area helped Laken Limbu win the ball but he got fouled.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 32′ (1st half) | The Kuwaiti goalkeeper is back to game

Abdul Rahman Al Majdali came back after a small injury break. Both teams also got a mini mid-game break.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 36′ (1st half) | The Kuwaiti no 9 hits the crossbar

Huge opportunity for Mohammad Abdullah but his headed effort is just high. That should have been Kuwait's second goal!

Kuwait vs Nepal | 41′ (1st half) | Second Goal!!!.. for Kuwait

Shabib Al-Khaldi is the goal scorer for Kuwait. He controlled the ball brilliantly in the box after receiving a cross from the left off a counter-attack.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 45′ (1st half) | Four minutes of added time in the first half.

High pressing from Kuwait as they won the ball deep inside the Nepal box and one-touch football nearly resulted in a goal-scoring opportunity.

Kuwait vs Nepal | Half-Time | 2:0

Kuwait scored two goals courtesy of center-back Khaled Hajiah and forward Shabib Alkhaldi as they're halfway through getting three points from their opening fixture in the SAFF Championship 2023 in Bengaluru. Nepal were poor on the ball in building up from the back and now find themselves in a difficult position after the first half.

Behind at the break but plenty to play in the second half. #TeamNepal pic.twitter.com/XQJhhM1DXj

— All Nepal Football Association (@theanfaofficial) June 21, 2023

SAFF Championship 2023 | Kuwait vs Nepal: Live Blog

Kuwait vs Nepal | 2nd half | 2:0 | Substitutions

• Nepal have brought on a substitute Ayush Ghalan. He replaced No.18, Shrestha.
• In: A. A. Bloushi Out: A. A. Fahad (Kuwait)
• In: E. Al-Rashidi Out: A. Saleh (Kuwait)

Kuwait vs Nepal | 51′ (2nd half) | Yellow Card for Nepal forward Anjan Bista

His over-aggressive tackle on centre-back Al Harbi was found dangerous and booked.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 55′ (2nd half) | Lots of fouls from the Nepal players

They're trying to frustrate the Kuwaiti players and stop their free-flowing build-up from the back. It is looking like the Instructions are very clear in the second half.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 60′ (2nd half) | Kuwait's play has been restricted

Nepal has stopped all the play inside the centre circle and are frustrating Kuwaiti attackers.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 62′ (2nd half) | Double substitution from Kuwait

• In: S. A. Awadi Out: S. Al-Khaldi
• In: A. Al-Dhefiri Out: M. Al-Faneeni

Kuwait vs Nepal | 65′ (2nd half) | Third Goal!!!.. for Kuwait

Mohammed Daham scored the third goal for Kuwait. It was a penalty taken with conviction after a poor handball by Rohit Kumar from Nepal in the box.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 66′ (2nd half) | substitution - Nepal

In: N. Lama Out: P. Uparkoti

Kuwait vs Nepal | 69′ (2nd half) | Goal!!!.. Nepal pulls one back

A back pass towards the Kuwaiti goal was intercepted by No.14 Anjan Bista and he had a clear run at the goal and easily slotted it past the Goalkeeper.

67' GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL TO NEPAL. ANJAN BISTA pulls one back.

Kuwait 3-1 Nepal pic.twitter.com/SthpPDPiLn

— All Nepal Football Association (@theanfaofficial) June 21, 2023

Kuwait vs Nepal | 72′ (2nd half) | substitution - Kuwait

In: A. Muhaisen Out: H. Al-Qallaf

Kuwait vs Nepal | 73′ (2nd half) | substitution - Nepal

In: A. Chaudhary Out: M. Dangi

Kuwait vs Nepal | 75′ (2nd half) | shot saved

Goalscorer Abdullah with a powerful effort from the left after leading a counter-attack. Nepal survives through Captain Limbu's brilliant save

Kuwait vs Nepal | 80′ (2nd half) | Nepal dominating possession

Nepal dominating possession but giving away the ball casually and Kuwait is having numerous chances on the counterattacks.

Kuwait vs Nepal | 82′ (2nd half) | substitution - Nepal

Awash Lamichanne has come on for No.7 Laken Limbu

Kuwait vs Nepal | 85′ (2nd half)

Nepal finishing strongly with under five minutes to go

Kuwait vs Nepal | 85′ (2nd half) | Six minutes of added time

Looks like Kuwait will start with a win unless Nepal find two quick goals

Kuwait vs Nepal | 93′ (2nd half) | Shot off Target - Nepal

Anjan Bista with an effort way over the top.

Kuwait vs Nepal | Full-Time | 3:1

Kuwait ran away 3-1 winners in the inaugural match as two goals in the first half and a second-half penalty sealed a victory for them. Nepal got a goal back through Anjan Bista, however, they couldn't create enough chances despite a valiant effort in the second half.

Full time

Defeat in the opening match of SAFF Championship against Kuwait. #TeamNepal pic.twitter.com/W3qYxtk0Bh

— All Nepal Football Association (@theanfaofficial) June 21, 2023