Arabian Gulf Cup: Kuwait set to face Saudi Arabia, Oman in group stages

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) DOHA, Nov 14 (KUNA) -- Kuwait have been drawn alongside champions Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in Group B of football's Arabian Gulf Cup, scheduled to kick off in Doha a week on Tuesday.
The tournament's most successful side, with 10 titles, will face the daunting task of going up against Saudi Arabia, who have a respective three titles in each of the Gulf and Asian nations cup competitions, and champions Oman.
Meanwhile, hosts, Qatar, who have won the cup on three occasions, will face Iraq (three titles), the United Arab Emirates (two titles) and Yemen in Group A.
The newly-held draw saw the last-minute additions of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who announced their participations late on Wednesday.
Commenting on the draw, Kuwait FA and Gulf Cup governing body (AGCFF) board member, Ibraheem Al-Ansari said the groups are "evenly-matched, as the teams are arguably of a similar level."
"The event is held in high regard amongst football spectators in the region and can get quite competitive," added Al-Ansari.
The participating nations have used the biennial tournament, which is not a FIFA-sanctioned event, as a launch pad towards wider continental and international stages.
However, the sides compete in a spirit of brotherhood, due to their inter-connected history, heritage and tradition, he explained. (end)
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