Bahrain bow to Panama in friendly

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain were dealt a 0-2 loss to Panama in an international friendly match played last night at the National Stadium in Riffa. Defender Michael Amir Murillo and forward Ismael Diaz were on target for the visitors on either side of half-time. The Bahrainis tried valiantly to hit back but their opportunities were few and far between. The game marked the end of the senior men’s national team’s latest local training camp. They are gearing up for their upcoming tournaments, including their much-awaited title-defence in the Gulf Cup and their participation in the continent’s biggest event, the AFC Asian Cup, both happening next year. It was also their second tuneup in a week against top global opposition.

They previously played Cape Verde in a contest they narrowly lost 1-2. Bahrain head coach Helio Sousa fielded a first 11 that was completely different from the one that started against the Cape Verdeans. Sousa’s squad included Ameen Hassan, Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Mohammed Adel and Hussain Al Khayyat in defence; Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, Mahdi Abdullatif, Jassim Al Shaikh, Komail Alaswad and Ebrahim Al Khattal in a five-man midfield; Abdulla Yusuf as the lone striker; and veteran goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar between the posts. Panama opened their scoring in the 18th minute of the match with Murillo’s strike. Defender Jose Cordoba sent a cross into the box which Murillo brilliantly collected on his chest. He then set himself up for his shot and brilliantly fired into the left of goal past Jaafar.

That was enough to give the Panamanians the advantage at the break. The Central Americans then had the perfect start to the second half, scoring their second goal just moments after the resumption of play. Diaz had his shot from inside the area bounce off the right post, and Jaafar could not control the rebound. Diaz took full advantage and sent the ball into an empty net. Bahrain tried to hit back and Al Malood had a chance in the 81st minute go just inches wide of the left upright. Panama forward Eduardo Guerrero then should have scored their third in the final minute of regular time on a one-on-one with Jaafar, but his effort was just marginally off the mark.

The friendlies against Cape Verde and Panama were the second and third scheduled by the Bahrain Football Association for the senior men’s team. They have added to the game Bahrain will be playing against FIFA World Cup 2022 participants Serbia on November 18, also at home. The upcoming Gulf Cup is scheduled to take place in Basra, Iraq, from January 6 to 19 next year. It will be the 25th edition of the prestigious competition. The Asian Cup 2023 will take place in June and July at a yetto- be-determined venue.