Kuwait's Veterans ready for Gulf Cup opener against Oman
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 20: The Gulf Cup for Veterans Football Championship is set to begin on Saturday, at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, running until next Wednesday. The tournament will feature four matches on the opening day.
Kuwait will launch its campaign against Oman at 7:45 pm, while Qatar and the UAE will face off at 9:15 pm in Group One. Earlier in the day, Iraq will take on Yemen at 4:45 pm, followed by a Group Two clash between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at 6:15 pm.
The tournament features eight teams, divided into two groups based on the Gulf 26 Cup draw, which Kuwait hosted from December 20 to January 4. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Today, a press conference will be held for the coaches of the participating teams. The Group One coaches will speak at 3:00 pm, followed by the Group Two coaches at 3:45 pm.
Meanwhile, officials from the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation have arrived in Kuwait and conducted inspections of Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Stadium, team accommodations, and other logistical arrangements to ensure the success of the event, which has drawn significant media and public interest.
Muhammad Binyan, Director of the Kuwait team for Veterans, affirmed that "The Blues" are fully prepared for the championship following a successful preparation phase. The team played three friendly matches, showing gradual improvement, culminating in an impressive performance in their final warm-up game.
Binyan expressed gratitude to the tournament organizers, highlighting the event's significance in bringing together former Gulf football stars during Kuwait's national holiday celebrations in February.
He emphasized that the Gulf Veterans Cup presents a great opportunity for fans to witness legendary players in action. With all four matches played on the same day—each lasting 40 minutes with two halves—spectators at Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Stadium can enjoy a full day of football featuring the region's former stars.
Binyan also noted that despite some injuries during training, the medical team provided excellent care to ensure the players' readiness. He concluded by wishing success to the Kuwait team and all participating nations in making the tournament a memorable event.
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