The qualifying rounds for the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 have whittled hopefuls into victors and sent new dreams soaring as Kuwait, Syria, and Palestine all booked their places in the group stages after a night of high drama in Al Rayyan.

The evening’s action got off to a flying start courtesy of Mohammad Daham, Kuwait’s electric winger, who wasted no time stamping his mark on the tournament.

In just the eighth minute, Daham ghosted in at the far post, steering home a deflected Rashed Al Dousari cross to give Kuwait the advantage against Mauritania. For the Kuwait Premier League Player of the Year, it was just the beginning.

Daham’s sharp movement and delivery caused chaos in the Mauritanian defense again before halftime, sending in a teasing ball from the right that tricked Nouh Mohamed into slicing into his own net.

Mauritania thought they had found hope around the hour mark, with Hacen El Id tucking home from a set-piece, only to see the flag raised for offside. It was a moment that seemed to sap their will, and Kuwait managed the remainder with control and poise, securing a 2-0 win and setting up enticing Group C meetings with Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE.

The atmosphere built as Syria faced off against a spirited South Sudan side still searching for its major-tournament breakthrough. For all of South Sudan’s heart in the opening forty-five minutes, Syria’s class showed after the break.

Mahmoud Al Aswad’s surging run and pinpoint cross found Mohammad Al Hallak, who stabbed the ball home from close range to finally reward Syria’s pressure. It was a goal that broke the tension and turned the tide. Just seven minutes later, Mahmoud Al Mawas, Syria’s talismanic captain, unleashed a superb curling strike that rocketed into the top corner, doubling the lead and virtually ending the contest.

Al Aswad and Al Hallak nearly added gloss to the score, but South Sudan, for all their effort, were left still waiting for their first taste of the big stage.

Nerves reached a peak in the final qualifier, where Palestine and Libya fought to a scoreless draw before a nail-biting penalty shootout. Palestine started the brighter, with Oday Dabbagh and Mustafa Zeidan both coming close in the opening stanza, while Libya responded after halftime, nearly snatching a late winner through Ezzeddin Elmaremi and Mahmoud Alshalwi.

With chances passed up by both sides, the fate of the match would be decided from the spot. Libya rolled the dice, swapping goalkeepers for the shootout, but Palestine’s Rami Hamada emerged the hero. A decisive save and a miss from Libya’s Maruwan Alhibeeshi meant Palestine advanced 4-3 on penalties, the celebrations reflecting both relief and immense joy.

Before the dust settles, the qualification action continues with four crucial play-off fixtures that will complete the Arab Cup’s final field: Oman take on Somalia, Bahrain host Djibouti, Sudan battle Lebanon and Comoros face Yemen.

COLLATED RESULTS

Kuwait bt Mauritania 2-0
Syria bt South Sudan 2-0
Palestine bt Libya 0-0 (4-3 PSO)

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