Sousa names initial squad for final Gulf Cup preparations

TDT | Manama                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Bahrain head coach Helio Sousa has called up 25 players for his initial squad to prepare for their highly anticipated title-defence in the fast-approaching 25th Gulf Cup.

The list was released last night by the Bahrain Football Association. According to a team official, the roster may be trimmed down to 23 prior to the tournament.

The team includes two of the Kingdom’s overseas-based professional players in Ali Madan (Al Ajman FC, UAE) and Abdulla Yusuf (Persija Jakarta, Indonesia).

The list also features locally based talents from Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League champions Riffa, current league leaders Muharraq, Al Khaldiya, Manama, East Riffa, Budaiya and Al Ahli.

From Riffa, Sousa has named seven stars, including Abdulkarim Al Fardan, Ali Haram, Hamad Shamsan, Jassim Al Shaikh, Komail Alaswad, Mohammed Jassim Marhoon and Sayed Redha Isa.

From Muharraq, there are six players, namely Abdulla Alkhalasi, Abdulwahab Al Malood, Ahmed Al Sherooqi, Amine Hasan, Sayed Mohammed Jaafar and Waleed Al Hayam.

Four have been selected from Khaldiya, including Ahmed Bughammar, Mahdi Humaidan, Mohammed Adel and Sayed Dhiya Saeed; while three are from Manama, namely Ammar Abbas, Ebrahim Al Khattal and Mahdi Abdullatif.

One player each has been called up from Ahli, Budaiya and East Riffa, namely Ebrahim Lutfallah, Omar Salem and Hamza Adrees, respectively.

Bahrain won the previous edition of the Gulf Cup held in 2019.

It was an historic achievement for the national team, having captured the title for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The Kingdom hosted the first-ever edition of the regional competition in 1970 but had previously never won until the last edition.

They finished as runners-up four other times.

Next year, Bahrain will also be taking part in the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The continental showcase will be held in June and July