BAHRAIN under-23 Olympic football team drew 3-3 with Uzbekistan yesterday in their second game of the PSSI Anniversary Cup 2018 in Jakarta.
Bahrainis went ahead in the 35th minute through Sayed Hashim’s penalty. But just eight minutes later, Uzbekistan levelled the proceedings with an equaliser by Amonov Azizbek.
Bahrain were back in the lead just seven minutes into the second-half through Mohamed Marhoon’s strike.
Marhoon was on target again to make it 3-1.
But Bahrain’s celebrations were short-lived as Uzbekistan’s Gofurov Husniddin fired home in the 72nd minute.
With time running out and trailing by a goal, the Uzbeks piled on the increased and were rewarded for their efforts in stoppage time.
Substitute Kodirkulov Sanjar managed to find the net with a strike from inside the penalty box to level the scores.
Bahrain head coach Sami Chammam said the match was very exciting,. “Uzbekistan showed a lot of character. Our players came under a lot pressure in the last minute and thus conceded the equaliser,” Chammam said.
Stalemate
Despite the stalemate, Bahrain can still win this friendly competition. They now have four points from their first two games and a game in hand against North Korea. This match is yet to be scheduled.
The PSSI Anniversary Cup 2018 is being organised by the Football Federation of Indonesia (PSSI). Bahrain are using this competition as part of their preparations for the 18th Asian Games to be held in Jakarta in August-September.