*** Bahrain set up Australia friendly | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Bahrain set up Australia friendly

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s senior men’s national football team will play an international friendly match against continental giants Australia in January of next year, as part of their final lead-up to the next edition of the AFC Asian Cup.

This was announced last night by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA).

The tune-up will be played in Dubai on 6 January, just a few days before the Asian football showcase kicks off in Doha on 12 January.

Bahrain and Australia are among the 24 teams competing at the Qatari capital.

The tune-up with the Aussies, nicknamed the Socceroos, is the first announced by the BFA in what is expected to be a series of exhibition matches in preparation for the Asian Cup.

According to reports, the BFA also attempted to schedule a game with Iraq, but their national federation apologised.

Bahrain’s friendly with Australia will pit them against one of the highest-ranked teams in the world, with the Aussies currently being 27th and thirdbest in Asia.

The Bahrainis are currently 86th in the world and 13th in the AFC.