FOOTBALL – BRAVE Bahrain conceded a late goal in a tough 0-1 loss to African powerhouses Morocco in an international friendly match last night, played in Rabat.
The kingdom’s senior men’s football national team were on the back foot for virtually the entire contest and had zero shots on target. But they were solid as a rock defensively and did well to keep their world number 11 opponents at bay – until Jawad El Yamiq headed in the game winner in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
Up until that point, goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfhallah made a number of impressive saves and was the anchor for the Bahrainis’ formidable back line.
The tune-up took place at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the Moroccan capital, with tens of thousands in attendance. It was part of both teams’ preparations for their upcoming competitions, headlined by the Fifa Arab Cup 2025, taking place in November and December in Doha, Qatar.
Yesterday’s match was also the first of two friendlies for Bahrain in Rabat. They are also set to face off with Egypt’s national team – who are fresh from securing their berth in the Fifa World Cup 2026 – at the same venue on Sunday.
Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic fielded a starting 11 last night that included Amine Benaddi, Ahmed Bughammar, Abdulla Al Khalasi, Vincent Emmanuel, Jassim Al Shaikh, Omar Saber, Mohammed Jassim Marhoom, Mahdi Humaidan, Ebrahim Al Khattal, skipper Sayed Dhiya Saeed, and Luthfallah.
The Moroccans, currently ranked first in the Confederation of African Football, were dominant in the opening half and had multiple chances to score, but were denied on a number of occasions by Lutfhallah. The Muharraq Club custodian made a fine save in the early minutes on a dangerous header from El Yamiq, and then had another important stop on a shot from an acute angle by Brahim Abdelkadir Diaz.
The Moroccans continued to threaten and were inches away from taking the lead in the 18th minute with another El Yamiq header from close range off a corner kick, but Luthfallah was there to parry the ball away just in time with his right hand.
Later, Luthfallah stopped an Ayoub El Kaabi shot from finding the net, and then El Yamiq headed over the crossbar in the 33rd minute. An Abdessamad Ezzalzouli header came off the right post four minutes later, while Ismael Saibari guided the ball inches past the left upright in first-half injury time.
After the re-start, Luthfallah continued to make key contributions and he collected an El Kaabi header in the 55th minute.
The Moroccans had chance after chance but were unlucky not to score, while Bahrain could not create any opportunities, even with the insertions of substitutes Mahdi Abduljabbar, Ali Madan, Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Sayed Mahdi Sharaf, and Hussain Jameel.
Luthfallah then made likely his biggest save of the night in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, brilliantly diving to his right to keep out on an attempt by Morocco substitute Youssef En Nesyri. But just seconds later, the Moroccans got their winner when El Yamiq rose above the opposition to head in an Achraf Hakimi corner kick.
That was enough to separate the two sides as Bahrain had to settle for the disheartening setback despite their strong defensive showing.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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