DOHA — Saudi Arabia secured a commanding 2-0 victory against Kyrgyz Republic in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 match at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. The three-time champions demonstrated their prowess, solidifying their position in the round of 16, while Kyrgyz Republic remains without points after two games.
The game kicked off with intensity, but Kyrgyz Republic faced early setbacks. Aizar Akmatov received a red card for a dangerous foul on Sami Al Naji just nine minutes into the match. Despite being a player down, Kyrgyz Republic displayed resilient defense. However, Saudi Arabia broke through in the 35th minute when Saud Abdulhamid set up Mohammed Kanno for a goal, capitalizing on a rebound from Abdulelah Al Malki’s strike.
Kyrgyz Republic faced further challenges in the second half, with Kimi Merk's expulsion reducing them to nine men. Despite their defensive efforts, Faisal Al Ghamdi doubled Saudi Arabia's lead in the 85th minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
Saudi Arabia's victory sets the stage for a crucial top-of-the-table clash against Thailand, while Kyrgyz Republic must secure a win against Oman and rely on other results to advance as one of the best-ranked third-place teams.
