KUWAIT CITY (Interstat) — Walid Azarou recorded one goal and one assist as Ajman defeated Kazma SC 2-1 in a global football match on Tuesday at Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium in Kuwait City. Ajman improved its record in the competition to 2-0, while Kazma SC fell to 0-2. Across all competitions, Ajman moved to 8-4 and Kazma SC to 2-2-1. The visiting side scored twice in the first half and then held off the home team’s second-half push. Azarou was the top star for Ajman and finished with a goal and an assist.

Ajman took the lead in the fourth minute when Lourency scored. Lourency played 67 minutes and gave the visitors an early advantage. Ajman doubled its lead in the 37th minute through Azarou, with Victor Henrique providing an assist. Henrique played 88 minutes and helped Ajman control possession in the attacking areas. Azarou’s goal and assist made him the central attacking figure for Ajman, and his contribution helped the visitors carry a two-goal lead into the second half.

Kazma SC responded in the 57th minute when Torless Knoll scored. Knoll played 44 minutes and received a yellow card in the 81st minute. M Al Shammari assisted on the goal and played 73 minutes before being substituted. The home side pushed for an equalizer after Knoll’s goal, but Ajman’s back line and midfield limited the clearest chances. Kazma SC could not find a second goal, and Ajman protected its 2-1 lead through the closing stages.

The match produced three yellow cards. Yuri Matias of Ajman was booked in the 65th minute. Knoll of Kazma SC was cautioned in the 81st minute, and Lithierry of Ajman received a yellow card in the 90th minute plus five. The bookings came as Kazma SC pushed numbers forward and Ajman worked to slow the home side’s momentum. Neither team found another goal, and Ajman closed out the win.

Kazma SC made two changes at halftime, with Al Shammari O. and Patrick entering in the 46th minute. Ajman made two substitutions in the 58th minute, bringing on Yousif B. and Hadani S. Kazma SC used Al Barazi B. in the 63rd minute. Ajman substituted Lourency in the 67th minute after his opening goal. Kazma SC brought on Al Shammari M. in the 73rd minute and Falah N. in the 82nd minute. Ajman replaced Henrique V. in the 88th minute. Kazma SC used five substitutions, while Ajman used four.

Ajman’s result followed a recent 0-1 loss at Al Jazira and a 5-4 win over Erbil SC. Azarou had played 90 minutes and scored in the Erbil match, and he again contributed a goal and an assist against Kazma SC. Ajman’s previous results also included wins over Bani Yas, Al Ain, Al Sharjah, Al Nasr CSC and Hatta, along with losses to Al Jazira and Al Sharjah. Kazma SC had entered after a 2-1 home win over Al Sulaibikhat SC and a 1-0 win at Al Jahra SC, but the home side could not extend that form in this competition. Kazma SC’s competition record dropped to 0-2 despite a stronger second half.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Ajman 2, Kazma SC 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Kazma SC with a 50.4 percent probability to win. Ajman had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.