FOOTBALL – DEFENDING champions Bahrain suffered a tough 0-2 loss against Qatar last night in their opening game of the 27th Gulf Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Second-half goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Hassan Al Haydos gave the Qataris the victory as both teams were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages of the Group B clash, played at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium.
Sporting their all-new white kits for the first time, the Bahrainis put up a gallant fight, although created only a few chances to score.
The kingdom’s squad will now be looking to bounce back when they return to action on Sunday against the UAE, who were big 4-0 winners against Yemen in yesterday’s other divisional fixture. The Bahrainis then complete their preliminary stage campaign against the Yemenis on Wednesday next week. Both games are also to be played at the same venue.
Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic fielded a familiar starting 11 last night that included Ebrahim Lutfhallah in goal; Waleed Al Hayyam, Abdulla Al Khalasi, Amine Benaddi, and Hamad Shamsan in defence; Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, Ali Madan, Mahdi Humaidan, Komail Al Aswad, and Sayed Dhiay Saeed in a five-man midfield; and Mohammed Al Rumaihi up front.
They fell behind in the 61st minute when Khoukhi headed in from the left of goal off a well-timed assist delivered by skipper Akram Afaf on a set piece.
Qatar’s Ahmed Fathy was then the first to be given his marching orders after a harsh foul on Bahrain’s Abbas Al Asfoor in the 70th minute, earning him his second booking of the evening.
But the Bahrainis could not capitalise on their man advantage, and then a minute before the final whistle, Al Asfoor was sent off after bringing down Qatar’s Hassan Al Haydos as he charged towards the box for a one-on-one with Lutfhallah.
That earned the Qataris a penalty, and Al Haydos made no mistake with his effort, coolly converting the spot kick to seal the full three points.
In the UAE’s triumph yesterday, Nicolas Gimenez fired in a brace with a goal on either side of the break. Yemen’s Nader Sahal had an own goal to contribute to the Emiratis’ cause, while Luan Pereira was on target before half-time to help them claim their win.
Yemen and Qatar lock horns in their next fixture, also Sunday, set for a 6.55pm kick-off, Bahrain time.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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