Bahrain lose to Tajikistan in Asian futsal opener

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain suffered a disheartening 3-4 loss to Tajikistan yesterday in their opening game of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2022, which kicked off in Kuwait City. The Bahrainis fell behind 1-3 in the match but made it interesting towards the end, getting to within a goal. But their rivals were able to hold on for the victory, which came in Group B of the competition’s preliminary round. In yesterday’s other game, Uzbekistan crushed Turkmenistan 8-0 to go to the top of the group. The nationals are back on the court tomorrow when they face off with Turkmenistan. The game is scheduled for a 4pm start at Kuwait City’s Saad Al Abdullah Hall.

In their loss yesterday, three Bahrainis were on target. Tajikistan opened their account in the eighth minute through Kuziev Umed, but just four minutes later Ammar Hasan Ali equalised for Bahrain. That was enough to send the match into half-time tied. Early in the second half, Tajikistan took a commanding 3-1 lead with back-to-back goals a minute apart.

In the 23rd minute, Soliev Bakhtiyor found the target and then Sardorov Fayzali scored. Bahrain were then given a lifeline when Ahmed Mohamed Jasim was on target in the 34th minute, but then Yorov Idris virtually put the game away a minute from full time with his goal. Just before the final buzzer, however, Jassam Saleh Hasan was able to reduce the deficit but Bahrain came away with zero points. The Bahrainis are one of 16 teams from across the continent taking part in the competition, which is being held for the 17th time.

There are four groups in the opening stage. Group A features hosts Kuwait, Iraq, Thailand and Oman; Group C comprises Iran, Lebanon, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia; and Group D includes Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Each of the top two teams from all four groups move through to the quarter-finals following a single round-robin. The Bahrainis booked their tickets to this year’s Asian Cup after finishing second in their group in the West Zone qualifying tournament held last April in the UAE.