Bahrain Poised for Vital World Cup Qualifier Against Struggling China

TDT | Manama

Email: hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

As Bahrain prepares to host China in a high-stakes World Cup qualifying match, the stage is set for an electrifying encounter at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa tomorrow at 5 PM. 

Impressive Recent Form and Defensive Solidity

The Dilmun Warriors have shown resilience under head coach Dragan Talajic, putting together a solid campaign since the start of the third round. After a narrow round-of-16 exit in the Asian Cup, Bahrain has lost only one of its last eight matches, highlighted by a stunning September victory over Australia, where a late own goal sealed a shocking upset for Bahrain. Recently, they displayed defensive strength with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, where goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla’s penalty save preserved the result.

With Thursday's game marking the middle of the third round, Bahrain sits fourth in Group C, level on points with Australia and Saudi Arabia, and trailing only Japan. A win would give them a strong push toward a potential top-two finish, keeping their World Cup dreams alive.

Key Players and Tactical Focus

For Bahrain, Mohamed Marhoon remains a crucial figure, having scored in the 2-2 draw against Indonesia last month. Marhoon, who now nears his 50th cap, will look to inspire the home crowd with his attacking brilliance against China. Meanwhile, the team has been intensifying their training, working on shooting precision and quick passes to bolster their offensive edge.

On the opposing side, China’s head coach Branko Ivankovic faces mounting pressure as his squad, positioned at the bottom of Group C, fights to salvage their campaign. Despite recent struggles, China secured a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Indonesia in October, with goals from Bakram Abduweli and Yuning Zhang. However, China has not won an away match since a win over Thailand nearly a year ago.

Home Advantage 

Playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at the Bahrain National Stadium provides a valuable advantage for the Dilmun Warriors. Midfielder Komail Alaswad emphasized the importance of fan support, saying, “Our fans are our 12th man. Their energy pushes us to give everything on the pitch.”

As the clock ticks down, anticipation is building, and both teams know the stakes. For Bahrain, a win could propel them into contention for a top-two finish, while for China, it's a chance to avoid falling further behind. With qualification hopes on the line, Bahrain is ready to defend their home turf and continue their World Cup journey.

Tickets are available at the BFA HQ in Riffa, priced at 10BD for Category 1 and 20BD for VIP seating.