BAHRAIN Football Association (BFA) President Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa praised Bahrain under-19 national team following their impressive display in the opening game of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Championship, writes MAZIN RIZK.
Bahrain, who host the tournament for the first time, defeated two-time champions Saudi Arabia 3-2 on Thursday at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
Goals from Mohammed Marhoon and Mohammed Yusuf gave Bahrain a 2-0 lead before Saudi managed to score twice through Rakan Al Anaze and Sami Al Naji to level the score, until Ahmed Mohammed scored Bahrain’s late winner.
The BFA president said the first win of the tournament gives the team a vital push in reaching their target of qualifying for the Under-20 Fifa World Cup which takes place in South Korea next year.
The top four teams of the tournament, along with the World Cup hosts South Korea, will gain direct qualification for the World Cup.
“I congratulate the players for their performance in the opening game of the tournament. I also want to congratulate the coaching staff,” Shaikh Ali said.
“Our youth team managed to end the game with the three points, which gives them a positive impact going into their next games against South Korea and Thailand, in which the BFA hopes the players will come out with positive results,” He added.
Shaikh Ali, also urged local fans to head to the stadium to support the team in its effort to beat their best ever record of finishing second in the 1986 edition of the tournament.