Bahrain kick off latest training for Gulf Cup
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain’s senior men’s national football team kicked off their latest training camp in the Kingdom as part of their preparations for their highly anticipated title-defence in the 25th Gulf Cup.
The nationals started their on-pitch programme under the supervision of head coach Helio Sousa.
The Portuguese tactician met with Bahrain Football Association (BFA) president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, BFA vice-president His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa and BFA national teams’ committees member Mohammed bin Jalal to discuss the team’s plans for the upcoming period, which includes two international friendly matches against FIFA World Cup 2022 participants Canada and Serbia.
Sousa has named a 24-player national team roster, including a pair of Bahrain’s overseas-based professionals in Ali Madan (Al Ajman FC, UAE) and Abdulla Yusuf (Persija Jakarta, Indonesia), as well as local league talents from Riffa, Muharraq, Hidd, Manama, Al Ahli, Al Khaldiya, and for the first time ever from Um Al Hassam Club.
Seven players have been called up from Riffa, including Ali Haram, Hamad Shamsan, Sayed Hashim Isa, Jassim Al Shaikh, Komail Al Aswad, Mohammed Jassim Marhoon and Sayed Redha Isa; while five are from Muharraq, namely Abdulwahab Al Malood, Amine Hasan, Rashed Alhooti, Sayed Mohammed Jaafar and Waleed Al Hayam.
From Hidd, Talal Al Sherooqi was named to the team, while from Manama, the trio of Ammar Mohammed, Ebrahim Al Khattal and Mahdi Abdullatif were included.
Ebrahim Lutfallah was called up from Ahli, and Ahmed Bughammar, Mahdi Humaidan, Mohammed Adel and Sayed Dhiya Saeed were selected from Khaldiya.
Rounding out the roster was Ali Alenzi, who became the first-ever national team call-up from Um Al Hassam.
Bahrain take on Canada on Friday and then face off with Serbia on 18 November.
The Gulf Cup is scheduled to take place in January of next year in Iraq. Bahrain won the previous edition of the Gulf Cup in 2019.
It was an historic achievement for the national team after winning the title for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Mohammed Al Rumaihi scored the decisive goal in their 1-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in the tournament final.
Bahrain hosted the first-ever edition of the regional competition in 1970 but had previously never won until then.
They finished as runners-up four other times. Bahrain will also be taking part in the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
The continental showcase will be held in June and July.
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