Bahrain down Tajikistan

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain defeated Tajikistan 1-0 last night in an international friendly match played at Dubai Police Officers’ Club stadium in the UAE.
Striker Mohammed Al Rumaihi scored right before half-time, and his goal was eventually enough to seal the win.

The game was the first of three tune-ups for the nationals during their overseas training camp in Dubai, where they are preparing for their remaining qualifying matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

The Bahrainis will be in the Emirates until November 17. They next face off with their Lebanese counterparts on Thursday, and then against the UAE in their final friendly on November 16.

Al Rumaihi scored in the 43rd minute with a left-footed strike in the box after receiving a short pass from teammate Mo- hammed Jameel. He did well to fire the ball into the roof of the net with his second touch, beating Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov.

The Bahrainis enjoyed only a few chances in the match, while goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah also had some key contributions.

Bahrain’s Sayed Mahdi Baqer was the first to make a crack at goal with a chance in the ninth minute of action. He had a header from close range but Yatimov saved his attempt.

In the 20th minute, Lutfallah helped preserve the goalless score line after making a brilliant stop on an Ehsoni Panshanbe shot. The strike was well hit and on target, but Lutfallah was up to the task.

Bahrain head coach Helio Sousa started the match with a squad that featured Lut- fallah between the posts, skipper Waleed Al Hayam, Baqer, Mohammed Yusuf, Al Rumaihi, Jassim Al Shaikh, Sayed Redha Isa, Ahmed Abdulla, Mahdi Humaidan, Mohamed Abdulqayom and Jameel.

Sousa made a number of substitutions in the second half.

For Tajikistan, Yatimov was in goal, while joining him on the pitch were Dzhuraboev Zoir, Tabrezi Davlatmir, Ergashev Davronzhon, Jurarov Amirbek, Barotov Ilhomjon, Zabirov Abdulmumin, Boboev Sheriddin, Panshanbe, Nazarov Akhtam, and Safarov Manucheon.

Bahrain are in Group C of World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying, where they currently sit in second place behind leaders Iraq, while being ahead of Iran, Hong Kong and Cambodia following five games already played.

The Bahrainis still have three fixtures remaining—first at home against Cambodia, then away at Iran, before closing out this stage of qualification against Hong Kong at home.

In this stage of the qualifiers, there are eight groups in all, with five nations in each group.

At the end, the eight group winners and the four best runners-up advance to the third round of World Cup qualifying, and also secure their berths in the Asian Cup. The next best 24 teams will compete in a separate competition for the remaining 12 slots in the Asian Cup.