BAHRAIN last night expressed confidence in beating India in a do-or-die clash tonight against India in a Group ‘A’ clash in the AFC Asian Cup in Sharjah, starting 7pm Bahrain time.
Only a victory can help Bahrain reach the last 16 stage as they have just a single point from their previous two matches, an 1-1 draw with hosts UAE and a 0-2 loss to Thailand.
In the other match tonight, at the same time, Thailand clash with UAE.
UAE are currently on top of the group with four points, followed by India in second place with three, Thailand, also with three points but third on goal difference and Bahrain fourth.
UAE and India can progress with a draw each while Thailand have to beat the hosts and hope Bahrain beat India.
The top two sides qualify for the last 16 along with the best four third-placed teams in six groups.
Bahrain last night concluded their final training session Al Sharjah Club Stadium, the venue of tonight’s match, under the supervision of head coach Miroslav Soukup of the Czech Republic.
Later at a pre-match press conference, Bahrain coach Soukup said his team was ready physically and mentally for this all-important match.
“Everyone knows that the only way to qualify to the second round is to win this match. We are ready to give off our best and earn victory,” said Soukup.
“We were unlucky in our opening match with the referee awarding a dubious penalty in the last few minutes against UAE. And against Thailand we dominated for much of the match but could not score while the Thais grabbed their chances and scored twice against the run of play.
“We have learned our lessons from these two matches. We will play to our strengths against India and are confident of beating India.”
Coach Miroslav said that they have watched the Indian team matches and are aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s key player Jamal Rashid said he and his teammates were not satisfied with the they have performed against Thailand.
“It was very disappointing. But we have put that match behind us. We have trained hard since then and are hopeful of punching our ticket to the last 16,” said Rashid.