FOOTBALL – Bahrain were booted out of the Fifa Arab Cup 2025 last night following a heavy 1-5 defeat against defending champions Algeria at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
The kingdom’s senior men’s football national team gave up three goals in the first half and never recovered.
Three players were on the score sheet for the Algerians, with Redouane Berkane and Adil Boulbina on target twice apiece.
Yassine Benzia supplied their other goal as they punched their ticket to the quarter-finals.
Mahdi Abduljabbar fired in a lone consolation for Bahrain just three minutes after Berkane opened Algeria’s account.
But Boulbina put the victors back in front another three minutes later, signalling the start of the Bahrainis’ collapse.
The result was the nationals’ second loss in as many games in Group D.
They remained in last place with zero points and are out of contention for a berth in the knockouts.
The Algerians improved to four points in second place on their division table, where they are ranked right behind leaders Iraq, who defeated Sudan 2-0 in last night’s other Group D clash.
The Iraqis claimed their second straight win and rose to six points, also securing their place in the last eight.
Meanwhile, in Group C, Jordan booked their place in the quarter-finals with a largely dominant display to defeat Kuwait 3-1 while Egypt struck late to secure a 1-1 draw with the UAE that keeps both nations’ progression hopes alive.
Bahrain complete their Fifa Arab Cup campaign on Tuesday when they take on Sudan at Education City Stadium in the Qatari capital.
The game is scheduled for an 8pm kick-off and it will be a no-bearing affair.
The Algerians and Iraqis clash at Khalifa International Stadium at the same time for Group D supremacy.
In Bahrain’s match yesterday, national team head coach Dragan Talajic fielded a starting 11 that included Omar Salem between the posts; Amine Benaddi, Waleed Al Hayyam, Ahmed Bughammar, and Abdulla Al Khalasi in defence; Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Ali Madan, Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, and Komail Al Aswad in midfield; and Mahdi Abduljabbar alongside Mahdi Humaidan as their strike partnership.
The Bahrainis appeared to have taken the lead in the eighth minute after Al Khalasi sent the ball in from close range.
Humaidan delivered a cross from the left on a free-kick and it was not cleared by the Algerian defence.
Marhoon tried to tap it home but Houari Baouche attempted to clear.
His kick, however, was blocked by Al Khalasi and it rebounded off his leg into the net.
Much to Bahrain’s dismay, the goal was disallowed for an offside infraction following a VAR review.
Algeria then went ahead in the 24th minute when Berkane pounced on a low cross from the right, sent in by teammate Youcef Attal.
Bahrain were quick to reply with Abduljabbar scoring in the 27th minute.
His effort was created following some brilliant approach play and crisp passing from Marhoon, to Humaidan, and on to Madan.
He perfectly set up Abduljabbar, who scored from the face of goal.
But the Bahrainis’ celebrations were short lived, as Boulbina found the net in the 30th minute after some porous defending from the nationals.
An assist from Berkane sent Boulbina through for an uncontested strike, putting his team back in control.
Algeria then made it 3-1 right before the half, with Benzia scoring from the penalty spot after Benaddi brought Berkane down in the box.
Benaddi was shown a yellow card and will be suspended for Bahrain’s fixture with Sudan.
After the re-start, the Algerians needed just three minutes to further extend their lead, as Berkane hit a rocket from outside the area that was too good for Salem.
Bahrain were then spared another goal in the 54th minute when Sofiane Bendebka headed in off a corner kick for Algeria, but it was disallowed as he had made contact with the face of Abduljabbar as he went for his attempt.
Nonetheless, Algeria were still able to score a fifth with 10 minutes remaining in regular time.
Boulbina applied the nail in the coffin with a stunning strike from the inside edge of the box with his left foot, assisted by substitute skipper Yacine Brahimi.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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