Bahrain beat Pakistan in qualifier

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s under-23 Olympic football team defeated their counterparts from Pakistan 3-1 last night to keep their hopes alive in the Group D qualifiers for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024.

Midfielder Sayed Jawad Alawi had a fantastic brace while skipper Hussain Abdulkarim supplied the Bahrainis’ other goal in the contest, while Alamgir Ali Khan netted for the Pakistanis.

The result earned the nationals their first three points in qualification after they had earlier suffered a heartbreaking, late 0-1 loss to Palestine in their opening game last week.

Bahrain need to finish as Group D winners or be one of the four best runners-up from the 11 qualification groups to book a berth in next year’s AFC U23 Asian Cup, which is set to take place in Doha.

Bahrain’s hopes of punching a ticket will either be realised or dashed on the third and final matchday in qualifying this Tuesday, when they take on Japan.

The Japanese were in action late last night against the Palestinians in another qualifier. In last night’s victory, Alawi opened Bahrain’s account with a brilliant free-kick in the 25th minute.

Looking to shoot from a metre outside the box, Alawi unleashed a curling shot that flew into the top-left corner of goal, past the outstretched arm of Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Ul Haq.

That was enough to send the nationals into the locker rooms with the lead at the break.

Then, within the first five minutes of the second half, the Bahrainis were ahead 3-0.

Alawi scored Bahrain’s second in the 48th minute with a fine effort from the right of the penalty area, where he sent a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Just moments later, Alawi spearheaded a quick counterattack into the danger zone.

He found Abdulkarim in front of goal, and he was able to send the ball home despite some pressure from the Pakistan defence.

With the Bahrainis cruising, they suddenly lost what could have been a crucial three-goal advantage when Pakistan came up with their lone consolation in the 70th minute.

K h a n found the net with a stunning shot from well beyond the half-field line.

After stealing possession from Mohammed Abdulqayoom, he caught Bahrain goalkeeper Abdulla Ali Alahmed well off his line.

Khan unleashed a rocket that flew above a reeling Alahmed and straight into the goal, as Alahmed could not recover.

The nationals had to settle for the two-goal winning margin, which could be costly in their qualifying bid.

There are 11 groups in all in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 qualifiers, with each group being held at a centralised venue.

Following a single round-robin, the 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup.

Bahrain have made it to the tournament just once in the previous five editions.

That was in the 2020 event held in Thailand, where they did not make it past the group stage.