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AFC Champions League Two
Three-time AFC Cup™ winners, Kuwait SC qualified for the upcoming AFC Champions League Two after hoisting the AFC Challenge League 2025/26™ trophy in May and Al Houti is confident the only club he played for will hold their own against higher quality opposition.
“Kuwait SC are a distinguished club, with a prominent name in Kuwait and the region as a whole,” Al Houti told the-AFC.com.
“Given the importance of this tournament, we held a two-week training camp in London, during which we played several challenging matches that undoubtedly benefited the team and enhanced its readiness.
“We are immensely proud to represent Kuwaiti football in the AFC Champions League Two, especially after winning the AFC Challenge League last season, which was a truly remarkable achievement.”
“Given the importance of this tournament, we held a two-week training camp in London, during which we played several challenging matches that undoubtedly benefited the team and enhanced its readiness.
“We are immensely proud to represent Kuwaiti football in the AFC Champions League Two, especially after winning the AFC Challenge League last season, which was a truly remarkable achievement.”
Continental success is nothing new to Al Houti, whose international career coincided with the most celebrated period in Kuwait’s football history.
The midfielder played every match and scored twice at the 1980 AFC Asian Cup™, including the opening goal in the final as Kuwait defeated Korea Republic 3-0 to become the first West Asian side to lift the trophy.
Two years later, he captained his country at the FIFA World Cup, which remains Kuwait’s only appearance at the global showpiece.
The midfielder played every match and scored twice at the 1980 AFC Asian Cup™, including the opening goal in the final as Kuwait defeated Korea Republic 3-0 to become the first West Asian side to lift the trophy.
Two years later, he captained his country at the FIFA World Cup, which remains Kuwait’s only appearance at the global showpiece.
“We have many wonderful memories in Kuwait, from succeeding in reaching the World Cup Finals in 1982, when participation was limited to 24 teams, to winning the Asian Cup title in 1980 as the first West Asian team to achieve that.
“I was also the first West Asian player to lift the continental trophy,” quipped the 72-year-old.
“I was also the first West Asian player to lift the continental trophy,” quipped the 72-year-old.
Al Houti’s journey at Kuwait SC began at the youth ranks before making his senior debut in 1970.
He remained with the club until retiring in 1984, winning four league titles and four Kuwait Emir Cups during an illustrious career.
“At Kuwait SC, I progressed through the age groups from a young age and achieved many titles, most notably winning the Emir Cup four times and the league the same number of times.
“I’m proud to be one of the sons of this great institution. The club has played a huge part in my career and was the first platform for my development, leading eventually to representing the national team.”
He remained with the club until retiring in 1984, winning four league titles and four Kuwait Emir Cups during an illustrious career.
“At Kuwait SC, I progressed through the age groups from a young age and achieved many titles, most notably winning the Emir Cup four times and the league the same number of times.
“I’m proud to be one of the sons of this great institution. The club has played a huge part in my career and was the first platform for my development, leading eventually to representing the national team.”
Al Houti believes Kuwait SC’s promotion to the AFC Champions League Two represents another important chapter for the club.
“The team’s mission in the AFC Champions League Two will be significant and we view it with great importance.
“I believe we will grow into the atmosphere of the championship as the rounds progress. We have many professional players with great potential and we look forward to continuing to achieve success at the continental level.”
“The team’s mission in the AFC Champions League Two will be significant and we view it with great importance.
“I believe we will grow into the atmosphere of the championship as the rounds progress. We have many professional players with great potential and we look forward to continuing to achieve success at the continental level.”
The former Kuwait captain also sees the competition as an important platform for the next generation of emerging players.
“It is a great opportunity for talented young players to prove their abilities and develop their sporting careers.
“They must make a lot of effort to showcase their individual and collective skills, and this could create opportunities for them to progress to important levels and represent other teams.”
Photos: AFP, AFC
“It is a great opportunity for talented young players to prove their abilities and develop their sporting careers.
“They must make a lot of effort to showcase their individual and collective skills, and this could create opportunities for them to progress to important levels and represent other teams.”
Photos: AFP, AFC
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