Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi faces Gulf 27 injury setback

Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi could miss the rest of Gulf 27 after suffering an injury during the team’s opening-match victory over Kuwait.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Aqidi may be ruled out of the remaining fixtures in the tournament, which concludes on 6 October.

The goalkeeper is due to undergo comprehensive medical tests on Thursday. The examinations will establish the nature and severity of the injury, assess its impact and determine whether he can continue to play for Saudi Arabia during the competition.

Saudi Arabia manager Giorgos Donis said after the match that Al-Aqidi’s injury was not to his head, as had initially been suggested, but affected his hand.

“We will see how serious the injury is,” Donis told reporters at his post-match news conference. “If the problem is serious, we will have to replace him in the squad.”

The results of the tests are expected to determine the appropriate treatment programme and the length of Al-Aqidi’s absence. They will also clarify whether he can take part in Saudi Arabia’s upcoming matches at Gulf 27.

Al-Aqidi started Saudi Arabia’s opening game against Kuwait, which they won 1-0. He was replaced by Mohammed Al Owais in the closing stages after colliding with two players while contesting a challenge for the ball.