7 Jan 2010

Australia targeted by lasers in football match

3:18 pm on 7 January 2010

The Australian football team have complained that Kuwait football fans were shining laser lights into their eyes during their Asian Cup qualifying match in Kuwait City.

Australia's goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic complained of a light being shone in his eyes, while

midfielder Dario Vidosic told football officials he saw the laser light while attempting to take corner kicks.

The game ended in a 2-all draw.

Australia football coach Pim Verbeek says he mentioned the incidents to match officials during the first half.

The Asian Football Confederation are likely to investigate the incident, with one or more powerful handheld laser pointers in the crowd believed to be responsible.

Verbeek also complained to the AFC match commissioner about the state of the Al-Kuwait Sports Club Stadium pitch, which he labelled as one of the worst pitches he had encountered in international football.