Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah graced the opening ceremony of the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup of Nations in a packed stadium, which was held in the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait 2-1 in the opening match at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Friday.

Salman Al-Moasher and Mukhtar Fallatah scored for Saudi Arabia in the 13th and 52nd minutes respectively while the lone goal of Kuwait was from the boot of Abdullah Al-Bareeki in the 60th minute.

UAE beat Oman 1-0 in their opening game with an Ali Mabhkhout penalty.

“I think in the first half, we maybe showed too much respect. But then, we played well and we were good in control until that penalty,” Oman coach Pim Verbeek said in the post-match press conference.

“After the penalty, the UAE had a couple of more chances. It showed the inexperience of my team. We lacked the final pass and the final touch. Overall, disappointed with the result but happy with the way my team played,” the Dutchman, who was the UAE assistant coach in 2005, added.

UAE will face Saudi Arabia on Monday, while Oman will meet Kuwait.