FOOTBALL – Bahrain fell to a 0-2 defeat against Iraq last night in the AGCFF U17 Gulf Cup 2025, currently being played in Doha, Qatar.
Zainulabdeen Al Rubaye scored a brace for the Iraqis with goals on either side of half-time to hand the kingdom’s youth football national team their second loss in as many games.
The result kept the nationals at the bottom of Group B with zero points as they crashed out of contention for a semi-final berth.
Saudi Arabia routed Kuwait 4-0 in yesterday’s other divisional clash. The Saudis thus improved to six points atop the Group B table, ahead of Iraq who are on four and Kuwait who have one point.
Only one match day remains. It will be on Friday when Bahrain take on Kuwait and Saudi clash with Iraq. Both fixtures are scheduled for simultaneous 6pm kick-offs, Bahrain time.
In last night’s defeat, national team goalkeeper Abdulla Abbas made a brilliant diving save in the ninth minute on a powerful low shot from just inside the box by Iraq’s Alamer Hareb.
But Abbas couldn’t prevent the Iraqis from taking the lead five minutes later, when Al Rubaye hit a powerful effort from a metre outside the penalty straight into goal.
After the re-start, Al Rubaye was on target once again in the 60th minute with a short stab from close range off a cross from the right by Hareb.
With last night’s outcome, Bahrain, coached by Croatian tactician Ugo Klingor, stayed scoreless in this eight-nation regional tournament, organised by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF).
Group A features the UAE, Oman, Yemen, and hosts Qatar.
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