Serbia show class in big win over Bahrain
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain bowed to FIFA World Cup 2022 participants Serbia 1-5 last night in the visitors’ final international friendly before heading to Doha.
The Bahrainis hosted the match as part of their preparations for the 25th Gulf Cup in January, and it was a valuable opportunity for the national team to go up against top-level opposition.
The Serbians did not disappoint, displaying their class in the high-profile contest.
And after Abdulla Yusuf equalised for Bahrain in the first half, they enjoyed a four-goal barrage in the final 45 minutes to come away with their fine victory.
On target on either side of the break was Dusan Tadic, who came away with a brace, while Serbia’s other goals were scored by Dusan Vlahovic, Filip Duricic and Luka Jovic. Following the contest, Yusuf said: “It was a great game for our players.
We tried to fight. “Serbia played very well and after a few days will be at the World Cup.
“This is football, and I am happy we were able to play this game.” Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic commented: “The game was very friendly.
We saw very good pace, good actions. Technically, we are better than Bahrain and we used our advantage from that point.
“A 5-1 result is good but the most important thing is nobody is injured in our last game before the World Cup.”
Tadic opened the scoring in the match with a brilliantly hit free-kick in the eighth minute of play.
The AFC Ajax star scored with a curling, left-footed effort from a few metres outside the penalty area which he sent to the top-left corner, far from the reach of Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar.
Six minutes later, Bahrain’s Ali Madan was taken down by Serbia’s Stefan Mitrovic as he entered the box, earning the hosts a penalty.
Yusuf stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake with his shot to the left of goal, which was enough to level the scores heading into the locker rooms.
But in the second half, it was all Serbia and Tadic put them back in the lead in the 50th minute with a brilliant display of individual skill after receiving a pass from Vlahovic.
Just a minute later, Tadic returned the favour with a superb back-heeled pass to an unmarked Vlahovic in the face of goal, who sent the ball home from close range.
The Serbians were not done, and they scored twice more with five minutes to go in regular time.
Duricic headed into the net in the 87th minute off a cross from the left supplied by Filip Mladenovic.
Then, Jovic applied the nail in the coffin with their fifth a minute from full time.
After receiving a brilliant through-pass from Vlahovic, he simply lifted the ball over Jaafar into the net.
Last night’s friendly match marked the end of the Bahrainis’ latest training gathering under head coach Helio Sousa.
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