Bahrain’s Stars Shine in World Cup Qualifiers Despite Uphill Battle

TDT | Manama

Email: hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s FIFA World Cup qualification campaign might be teetering on the edge, but its players are stealing the spotlight. With six matches played in the grueling third round of the AFC qualifiers, Bahrain ranks as the second-most decorated team in the group for “Man of the Match” accolades, securing four awards out of six games—a tally bettered only by Japan.

These individual performances have highlighted the team’s resilience in a campaign filled with narrow margins and late heartbreaks.

A Team of Standouts in Testing Times

In Bahrain’s 2-2 draw with Australia, Ameen bin Adi earned his “Man of the Match” nod for a commanding midfield display. His ability to break lines and dictate the game was crucial, especially as Bahrain clawed back from a deficit to briefly take the lead.

Mohamed Marhoon delivered an electric performance against Indonesia, his attacking intent and creativity carving out opportunities in a tightly contested affair. He walked off the pitch with Bahrain’s second “Man of the Match” honor of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Lutfullah stood tall between the posts against Saudi Arabia. With the stakes high, Lutfullah’s crucial saves kept Bahrain in contention, earning him a well-deserved individual accolade in a high-pressure matchup.

The fourth award is another marker of Bahrain’s consistency, as players rise to the challenge even in moments where results remain elusive.

The Road Ahead

For all the individual brilliance, Bahrain’s collective struggles are evident. The team sits fifth in Group C, with six points—just one behind Australia in 2nd, and level with Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain’s inferior goal difference could prove to be an issue in the latter stages of the qualifiers. Japan’s dominance at the top with 16 points casts a long shadow over the group.

Bahrain’s next major test comes against Japan on March 20, following a Gulf Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on December 22. With little room for error, every match is effectively a final.

The performances of Bahrain’s key players have offered glimpses of what this team is capable of when things click. The challenge now is to turn flashes of individual excellence into a collective surge that could rewrite the script of their campaign.