 |
| Hamad Al-Qallaf lifts Bader Al-Fadhel after the latter hit a long free kick to give Kuwait the lead. Kuwait FA |
MANILA—A late second-half brilliance from Kuwait broke the hearts of the Philippine Azkals as they fell, 0-2, in a FIFA international friendly early Saturday (Philippine Time) at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait.
A free kick from Bader Al-Fadhel sparked the Kuwaitis' breakaway as Barae Jrondi's debut as the Azkals' new head coach ended in a tough defeat.
Al-Fadhel converted on a 72nd-minute free kick from way outside the box to put Kuwait ahead, spoiling what had been a splendid outing from Neil Etheridge.
Etheridge had kept Kuwait scoreless in the first 70 minutes with fantastic saves only to miscalculate where Al-Fadhel's free-kick was heading.
Ali Khalaf sealed the deal for Kuwait in the 84th minute off a beautiful assist from Ibrahim Kameel off a left-wing action.
Up next for the Azkals in their two-match Middle East road trip is Jordan.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
