Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos’ opening opponents Kuwait undaunted by facing Australia

KUWAITI midfielder Abdullah Al Buraiki insists his team is not scared of the Socceroos ahead of Friday night’s eagerly anticipated Asian Cup opener.

MUSCAT, OMAN - JANUARY 12: Christopher Gligor of Australia compete for the ball with Khaled Ebrahim during the AFC U-22 Championship Group C match between Australia and Kuwait at Royal Oman Police Stadium on January 12, 2014 in Muscat, Oman. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

KUWAITI midfielder Abdullah Al Buraiki insists his team is not scared of the Socceroos ahead of Friday night’s eagerly anticipated Asian Cup opener.

But defender Khaled Ebrahim conceded the bizarre cancellation of last Saturday’s scheduled friendly match against the United Arab Emirates was a blow to Kuwait’s preparations.

The Kuwait team arrived in Melbourne on Sunday night and held its first training session in town on Monday night, at Port Melbourne’s SS Anderson Oval.

Kuwait, known as Al-Azraq (The Blue), was the last team to beat the Socceroos on home soil, in Canberra in a March 2009 qualifier for the 2011 Asian Cup.

And Al Buraiki said his team held no fears of its opponent.

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Kuwait’s Khaled Ebrahim admitted the team’s Asian Cup preparations have been far from ideal.

“Kuwait is not scared of any team,” Al Buraiki said.

“Kuwait respect all teams (who) play against us and Australia is a very good team, they play in the World Cup.

“The fans have a great role for Australia, but we like to play matches in front of big crowds like that.

“It’s a difficult match against Australia, especially as it’s the opening match of the competition.”

Kuwait was to play the UAE on the Gold Coast, but the match was cancelled owing to a disagreement about the filming of the match.

Ebrahim said new coach Nabil Maaloul wanted to film the game for analysis purposes, given he has only been in the job a month after taking over from the sacked Jovran Viera.

Maaloul was previously coach of Qatari club side El Jaish and UAE feared Maaloul would pass footage on to the Qatari national team, which plays UAE in their opening Asian Cup match in Canberra on Sunday.

“We must play a friendly match before the championship, because the new coach, he needs to work with the players before the game,” Ebrahim said.

“It’s a little difficult.”

Kuwaiti players celebrate victory over the Socceroos in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Canberra.

Fellow midfielder Khaled Al Qahtani was tight-lipped about the tactics Kuwait would employ at AAMI Park, but insisted the team was up for the fight after two months’ preparation focused on the match.

“Now everything is ready,” Al Qahtani said.

“In my heart, we can win, it is not impossible.

“We can attack against Australia, no problem. But tactically, if we will attack or defend (on Friday night), I don’t have a comment.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos’ opening opponents Kuwait undaunted by facing Australia