Kuwait v Iran: A Glorious Opening

First you think, “oh yeah, what a phenomenal goal, truly highlight reel material”, which it was. After that, though, it ventures off somewhere else entirely. Kuwait’s goalkeeper gets caught out in Nevernever Land, doing who knows what, allowing Iran to take a cool two goal lead on a goal from their own half. Then another player for Iran gets tackled by The Ghost of Christmas Past on as easy a 3-0 lead as you’re ever gonna get. Kuwait almost answers back with a spectacular bike of its own, but it goes wide. Their number ten, with nothing but air between himself and the keeper, appears as though he’s trying to clear the ball out of play - which had me wondering whether or not it was the second half and the teams had changed sides. Nyet. Same half - perhaps he slipped, or something. Kuwait’s keeper boots a ball nearly the length of the field, and two failed Iranian back passes with their noggins later, Kuwait has a goal.

Unfortunately - and perhaps fortunately - that was only the first half, and there are no second half highlights to be had as of yet (Kuwait ended up with an upset draw at 2-2). But it’s lovely to see World Cup qualifying is upon us again.