Bahrain edge Thailand in friendly

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Hashim Sayed Issa scored in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time to help lift Bahrain to a late 2-1 victory over Thailand yesterday in an international friendly match played in Bangkok.

The game marked the end of their weeks-long training camp at the Thai capital, where the nationals have been holding their final preparations for their upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers, taking place next week in Kuala Lumpur.

The Bahrainis had conceded an early goal in the opening few minutes of the match, but were able to equalise before the halftime interval through Ebrahim Al Khattal. Bahrain were only then able to break the deadlock just minutes before the final whistle to come away with the hard-earned result.

Following last night’s win, Bahrain head coach Helio Sousa said during his post-match Press conference: “It was a very good game for us, for the Thailand team and for the fans. It was two teams who wanted to win the game and play the best they can at this moment of preparation. “For us, it was perfect.

We are gaining conditions for our players. We are trying to improve all the time and it was the perfect game for us to keep building up and being the best prepared we can be for the qualifiers.

“Thailand played such a hard game for us. We were able to build some confidence and had some strong will to arrive to the finish of the game with the win.” The Bahrainis had a horrific start to the contest when a sliding tackle by Ahmed Bughammar clipped the heels of Thailand winger Bordin Phala and the nationals conceded an early penalty.

Teerasil Dangda stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake with his effort, which he sent past Bahrain’s veteran number one goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar. The Thais did well to maintain their advantage for much of the first half, until Al Khattal’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Mahdi Humaidan sent in a cross from the left wing and striker Abdulla Yusuf was able to head it slightly towards goal. The ball bounced perfectly into the path of a hard-charging Al Khattal, who needed only to tap it in from close range past Thai goalkeeper Kittipong Phuthawchueak.

The concluding 45 minutes was tightly contested between both sides. Bahrain’s press for a winner was finally rewarded in the 91st minute, when a Rashed Alhooti cross from the left of the box went uncleared as it flew across the face of goal to the right, where a waiting Issa slotted home with a single touch.

The win was the second in a row for the Bahrainis in an international friendly during their Bangkok camp. They had previously beaten Myanmar 2-0 last week. Previously, the nationals had also conducted a training exercise with their Thai counterparts.

The nationals are set to play in Group E of Asian Cup qualification alongside Turkmenistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

The games will be held over a single round on three matchdays, including on June 8 against Bangladesh, on June 11 against Malaysia, and on June 14 against Turkmenistan. Bahrain are looking to secure their seventh appearance in the tournament.