"We didn't perform at the hoped-for level": Saudi Arabia forward justifies dip against Kuwait

Saudi Arabia won with a clean goal.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan was delighted. The Saudi Arabia striker hailed Wednesday's 1-0 win over Kuwait in the opening round of Gulf Cup 21 and set his sights on keeping the run going through the coming rounds.

Al-Hamdan told "Alkass": "We congratulate the Saudi people on the victory, and hard luck to the Kuwait national team. The win was important and we needed it."

He admitted Saudi Arabia fell short of the level they wanted, blaming the nature of opening matches, which he called always difficult, but he backed his side to improve.

"We were not bad, we reached the opponent's goal, and we need to develop in certain areas, and in time we will perform better," Al-Hamdan added.

Those three points sent Saudi Arabia top of Group One, two clear of Oman and Iraq after the pair drew 1-1. Kuwait sit bottom without a point.

Next up is the second round on Saturday. Saudi Arabia face Oman, while Iraq meet Kuwait.