DUBAI/DOHA: United Arab Emirates (UAE), preparing to host the AFC Asian Cup 2019, fell to a surprise 2-0 loss to Kuwait in a friendly.
Kuwait claimed victory through Bader Al Mutawa and Omar Beitar’s goals in the 45th and 86th minutes, respectively.
In Doha, Vital Borkelman’s Jordan came from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw with China PR at the Grand Hamad Stadium.
China, who lost 2-1 to Qatar in their previous friendly, went ahead in the 16th minute through Wu Xi’s effort, but their lead lasted only 20 minutes before Jordan found the equaliser with Musa Al Tamaari finding the back of the net.
Despite their best attempts, both teams couldn’t break the deadlock and settled for a tie.
In the Continental showpiece that is set to begin on January 5, China are in Group C with two-time champions Korea Republic, Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines, while Jordan are with title holders Australia, Palestine and Syria in Group B.
Iraq scored their second win this month after beating Palestine 1-0 at the Qatar SC Stadium.
Palestine came into the match confident, having held Islamic Republic of Iran to a 1-1 draw in their last friendly, but failed to find the back of the net against Iraq.
Srecko Katanec’s side, who beat China 2-1 on Monday, broke the stalemate a minute after the break through Humam Tariq and held on to their advantage to seal the win.
Iraq are in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 with Iran, Vietnam and Yemen.
On Thursday night, Qatar had also fallen 1-0 to Algeria.
Drawn in Group E, Qatar had enjoyed an undefeated streak since their win over Switzerland in November which was put to a halt by a Baghdad Bounedjah goal in the 57th minute.
Felix Sanchez’s side will have one more friendly with Iran on New Year’s Eve before heading to the UAE to open their campaign against Lebanon at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium
on January 9.
They will play DPR Korea and Saudi Arabia on January 13 and 17, respectively.
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