BAHRAIN bowed out of contention for a berth in next year’s AFC U23 Championship following a 1-2 loss to Iraq in Riyadh last night.
Amjed Attwan Kadhim and Mazin Fayyadh Ajeel were on target for the Iraqis. Ali Madan supplied the lone consolation for the Bahrainis, who suffered their second straight loss in the qualifiers.
Iraq improved to a full six points in Group ‘B’ of qualification and are in second place behind hosts Saudi Arabia, who romped past Afghanistan 8-0 in the other group ‘B’ match yesterday.
Only the top-ranked team at the end of this group stage earns an automatic berth in the AFC U-23 Championship.
Qualifying action continues with the final day tomorrow at Riyadh’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Bahrain will be looking to salvage a win from the qualifiers when they take on Afghanistan at 5.55pm, followed at 8.55pm by Iraq facing off with the host Saudis in a match that will determine first place.
Both Bahrain and Iraq had chances to open the scoring in the first-half of their clash but neither could find the finishing touches.
Following a goalless opening period, the intensity picked up immediately after the break and only seven minutes in, Iraq had moved ahead.
Midfielder Hussein Alsaedi sent a brilliant cross from the right wing directly into the heart of the box and Kadhim came charging from the back to rise above a couple of Bahraini defenders and head the ball home. Kadhim’s header was perfectly hit into the left of goal and he gave Bahraini goalkeeper Mahboob Aldoseri no chance.
It was a disheartening setback for the Bahrainis, who had been defending well up until that point.
Madan had a good chance to equalise minutes later but his header from long range was just off target.
Iraq then added their second in the 69th minute following some sloppy Bahrin defending. Ajeel easily headed home a rebound after Aldoseri stopped a poorly hit initial effort from Kadhim. Ajeel pounced on the loose ball and made no mistake with his header, sending the ball above Aldoseri and into the net.
Despite facing the two-goal deficit, the Bahrainis continued to fight and they were rewarded with a consolation six minutes from full time. In-form midfielder Madan slotted home from the right of the box with a well-hit left-footed shot after receiving a pass from across the goal. It had no bearing on the final result, however, as the Bahrainis came away without any points for the second successive game.
&uuid=(email))