FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN’S senior men’s football national team fell to a heavy 0-4 defeat to Egypt’s B national team in a friendly match played last night at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, Morocco.
The Egyptians scored three goals in a quick 15-minute span to begin the second half and then added another in injury time, as they outclassed the kingdom’s top side. On target for their team were Amr El Solia, Mido Gaber, Mohamed Sherif, and Marwan Hamdy.
The game was part of both teams’ preparations for their upcoming competitions, headlined by the Fifa Arab Cup 2025 this November and December in Doha, Qatar.
It was the second tune-up for the Bahrainis in Morocco. They had earlier played the host nation’s senior men’s squad at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the Moroccan capital of Rabat last week, narrowly losing an entertaining contest 0-1 following an injury-time goal.
The nationals are scheduled to fly back to Bahrain today as they conclude their latest gathering under head coach Dragan Talajic during Fifa’s ongoing international break.
Talajic fielded a starting 11 last night that included Amine Benaddi, Sayed Mahmoud Al Mosawi, Hussain Jameel, Hazza Ali, Jassim Al Shaikh, Ali Madan, Mahdi Abduljabbar, Mahdi Humaidan, Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, skipper Sayed Dhiya Saeed, and goalkeeper Mohammed Algharably.
Egypt’s Ahmed Atef had a chance to break the deadlock before the break, but his shot from inside the penalty box went inches wide of the left post.
After a goalless first half, the Egyptians needed just three minutes after the re-start to take the lead, and El Solia put them in front. He hit a low strike from around 30 yards out to beat Algharably.
Egypt then doubled their advantage just two minutes later. Gaber was this time on target with a low, left-footed effort from the inside edge of the area.
They then made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, when Sherif took advantage of some porous Bahrain defending and scored from close range, with Atef providing a short assist.
Bahrain had a couple of chances late on through Humaidan and substitute Mohammed Al Rumaihi. Humaidan had a long, powerful effort on a set-piece from around 30 yards out, but it was easily collected by Egypt goalkeeper Ali Lotfi. Al Rumaihi then had his opportunity two minutes from full time with a shot from inside the box, but Lotfi was again up to the task.
Egypt then applied the nail in the coffin in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, when Hamdy found the net for their fourth.
Prior to being a part of the Fifa Arab Cup 2025, Bahrain must first win their qualifying game against Djibouti on November 26 at Doha’s Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. It is scheduled for a 4pm kick-off, Bahrain time, with the victors securing their spot in the group stage, which kicks off on December 1.
Should the Bahrainis book their seat, they will be in Group D where they will join Algeria, Iraq, and either Lebanon or Sudan, who also play in a qualifier on November 26. Group A features competition hosts Qatar, Tunisia, Syria or South Sudan, and Palestine or Libya; Group B is composed of Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman or Somalia, and Yemen or Comoros; and Group C includes the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and either Kuwait or Mauritania.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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