FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN will be looking to “wash our face” when they take on Sudan tonight in their concluding fixture of the Fifa Arab Cup 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
Having already been eliminated from further contention, senior men’s football national team head coach Dragan Talajic said yesterday that his squad will be aiming for a positive ending to their campaign before returning to the kingdom empty-handed.
“We will do our best to wash our face before going back to Bahrain,” said the Croatian tactician during his pre-game Press conference yesterday.
This evening’s contest is scheduled for an 8pm kick-off at Education City Stadium in the Qatari capital.
The nationals had lost both their assignments so far in Group D – first a 1-2 defeat against Iraq and then a heavy 1-5 loss to defending champions Algeria.
Talajic said that his side has prepared in the best possible way for tonight’s clash, and expects a tough challenge against their African rivals.
“We have one more game in this tournament and we have prepared the best that we can – inshaallah we will make a positive result for us,” said Talajic.
“It will be a very difficult match – Sudan also play some nice football. They did it against Iraq when it was zero-zero until 81 minutes and they had a lot of chances.”
Talajic noted that he plans to inject “some new blood” into Bahrain’s line-up for the match, although added that there will be no major changes to his squad.
Bahrain are already missing the services of star goalkeeper Ebrahim Luthfallah, who suffered an injury in their setback against Iraq. They also lost crafty playmaker Ebrahim Al Khattal and steadfast defender Amine Benaddi to suspensions.
“We will put in some new blood, especially since some of our players are a little bit tired – every three days there is a game – but we will not change too much because we have to play for our kingdom and for our people the best that we can to try and win the game,” Talajic said.
Talajic once again defended his players following their two defeats, although admitted that a number of their individual mistakes proved costly in those results.
“I will always stay in front of my boys – this is my job, I am the coach,” he said. “When I say I take full responsibility for myself, really, I am the first one who has to do this. I am in front of my boys and I am giving them a chance to play. If they do not play well, the responsibility is mine.
“But I am a little bit upset because we are making a lot of individual mistakes in the defending line. Defending is not only four players – defending starts from the attackers. We have a lot of individual mistakes.
“I would like to say for the future of Bahraini football, we have really talented boys who can play nice football.
“I represent my boys and all Bahraini people, and thank you very much to our fans who are coming here and giving support for us. I really appreciate it.”
Also this evening, Group D table-toppers Iraq and Algeria lock horns at Khalifa International Stadium, also at 8pm.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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