Bahrain make winning start
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain kicked off their Group E campaign in AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifying yesterday with a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Bangladesh at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Ali Haram and Komail Alaswad were both on target for the nationals in the first half, but the Bahrainis should have added to the score line with a number of other chances on target en route to the final whistle.
The result put Bahrain second in their group table after the first matchday. Group hosts Malaysia took the top spot following a 3-1 win over Turkmenistan in yesterday’s other divisional fixture. Bahrain next face off with the Malaysians in their second of three qualification matches this week.
That game will be held on Saturday, kicking off at 4pm, Bahrain time. The nationals then wrap up their bid for an Asian Cup berth on Tuesday next week when they play Turkmenistan. Bahrain head coach Helio Sousa started yesterday’s game with Sayed Mohammed Jaafar in goal; Amine Benadi, Waleed Al Hayam, Sayed Redha Isa and Rashed Alhooti in defence; Ali Madan, Abdulwahab Al Malood, Mahdi Humaidan, Haram and Alaswad in a five-man midfield; and Abdulla Yusuf as the lone striker.
The Bahrainis had many chances throughout the game, and early on bombarded the Bangladesh goal. Benadi came close to opening their account with a header in the face of goal, while Alaswad also nearly scored twice with a shot from distance and a free-kick that was saved by opposing goalkeeper Anisur Rahman.
Haram also had an effort from long range punched away. The nationals were finally awarded their first goal in the 34th minute, when Haram sent home a brilliant header off a corner-kick from Alas[1]wad. Haram had his shot perfectly placed into top-right corner of the net, farm from the reach of Bangladesh’s Rahman.
Just eight minutes later, Alaswad doubled the Bahrainis’ advantage with fine goal from a metre outside the box. Alaswad hit a low volley, which went into the bottom-right corner of goal. That was enough to send Bahrain into the interval with the two-goal advantage.
In the second half, the nationals continued to press for more, and Yusuf should have scored with a pair of fine chances. That included a one-on-one with Rahman, but his shot was parried away. There are 24 teams in all in this final round of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
They have been divided into six groups, each of which is being played at a centralised venue. All six group winners plus the five best runners-up will earn berths in the Asian Cup, which will be held next year at a yet-to-be-determine venue following the recent withdrawal of China as hosts. Bahrain are looking to secure their seventh appearance in the tournament proper.
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