A pair of early strikes helped Morocco to a win over FIFA Arab Cup debutants Comoros, while Egypt drew with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia edged Oman.
Mohamed Afsha converted a last-gasp penalty as Egypt fought back to secure a dramatic draw against ten-man Kuwait, who came agonisingly close to a memorable victory.
The Pharaohs, who are without a number of first-choice players for the regional showpiece, missed a spot kick midway through the opening half when Abdulwahab Alawadhi fouled Eslam Eissa in the Kuwait area but Egypt captain Amro Elsoulia struck the resulting penalty wide of the post.
Kuwait continued to repel Egypt’s attacking play and broke the deadlock when Fahad Al Hajeri rose high into the air to head in a Mohammad Daham corner with a powerful effort. Daham then should have sealed the victory ten minutes from time but his chip was well-blocked by the onrushing Mohamed Bassam.
There was late drama when Kuwait goalkeeper Soud Al Houshan was sent off seven minutes from time after rushing off his line to bring down Marwan Hamdy in his area. Afsha kept his nerve and converted from the spot kick past substitute keeper Sulaiman Abdulghafour to secure an unexpected point for Egypt.
Morocco 3-1 Comoros
It took a pair of early corners and less than a quarter-of-an-hour for Morocco to assert themselves at the Khalifa International Stadium. Soufiane Bouftini rose to meet the first with a header while a deflected Tarik Tissoudali strike from the second had debutants Comoros rocking.
A diving Karim El Berkaoui header from a deep cross in first-half stoppage time extended the Moroccan advantage but as Comoros showed in their play-off win against Yemen they are never fully down and out.
Indeed, the tournament debutants pulled one back via a Mohamed Boulacsout own goal just shy of the hour but that was as close as they came. Morocco saw a late penalty shout ruled out after a VAR review as they made an impressive start.
Saudi Arabia 2-1 Oman
At Education City, it was a lesson in patience as Saudi Arabia and Oman emerged after a tight opening spell of few chances with plenty of second-half drama.
It was the Green Falcons that struck first with a goal created by Al Hilal’s Nasser and Salem Al Dawsari. The former slipping a delightful ball to release the latter who sat up a cross that Feras Al Brikan, having split a pair of Omani defenders, met with a header that rocketed past Ibrahim Al Mukhaini.
A quarter of an hour later Oman drew level, with the rare sight of a goal set up by one central defender and finished by another. Thani Al Rushaidi nodding a deep corner back across the face of goal for his club and national team-mate Ghanim Al Habashi to head home.
It was Saudi Arabia though who would bank maximum points as a second Al Dawsari assist saw substitute Saleh Al Shehri volley home from the top of the six-yard box to seal the late win.
