BAHRAIN came up agonisingly short in securing the title in the 2018 Alpine Cup in Myanmar last night.
Needing nothing less than a win to clinch the crown, the kingdom’s under-23 Olympic football team gave up two goals in the second half in their final fixture of the competition against South Korea, with the second being the winner in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time.
The nationals lost 1-2 to the Koreans, who were fielding their under-19 national team in the tournament.
Also yesterday, hosts Myanmar defeated Thailand 2-1 in a result that was enough to earn the home side the silver medals.
At the end of action, South Korea finished first with nine points, Myanmar and Bahrain were tied on four points but Myanmar had scored more goals in the competition after they each had zero goal difference, and Thailand were last with zero points.
Bronze
The Bahrainis were awarded with the bronze medals, having finished the tournament with a win, a draw and a loss.
Aside from their gold medals and champions’ trophy, the South Koreans took home $10,000 in prize money. The home team, on the other hand, won $5,000.
After a goalless first half, Bahrain ceded their first goal of the match five minutes after the half-time break, with Um Wongsang opening the scoring for the Koreans.
The nationals were able to equalise, however, through Hasan Jaafar in the 72nd minute. A draw would have earned Bahrain the silver in the competition, but at the very last minute of stoppage time, Kim Janhyun broke the Bahrainis’ hearts with the winning goal.
The tournament was an international friendly competition featuring the under-23 Olympic football teams of Bahrain, Thailand and Myanmar, along with the under-19 national squad of South Korea.