BAHRAIN secured their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup 2019 yesterday after beating hosts Singapore 3-0 in their penultimate Group ‘E’ qualifier played at Singapore’s National Stadium.
A second-half brace from Mahdi Abduljabbar set the West Asian side on their path to qualification, while Jamal Rashed scored in between as the hosts wilted under pressure.
The result helped the Bahrainis improve to 10 points atop the Group ‘E’ standings. They are tied with Turkmenistan, who enjoyed a 2-1 win over Chinese Taipei in the group’s other fixture yesterday.
Bahrain coach Miroslav Soukup began the match with Sayed Shubar Alawi in goal; Waleed Al Hayam, Sayed Redha Isa, Abubaker Adam, and Ahmed Abdulla Ali in defence; Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Abdulla Yaser, Komail Hassan Alaswad, Captain Abdulwahab Ali and Rashed in midfield; and Abduljabbar as the lone attacker.
Singapore’s Shawal Anuar almost drew first blood for the hosts in the opening minute when he volleyed just wide inside the box following a well-worked set-piece.
Irfan Fandi had Singapore’s best effort five minutes later when the centre-back sent his 35-yard free kick straight to the gloves of Alawi.
With Shawal withdrawn before the quarter-hour due to injury, Bahrain took the initiative and dominated as the hosts began to sit back deep in their own area.
Following a goalless first half, the visitors almost took the lead eight minutes after the re-start when Abduljabbar’s goal-bound header off a cross on the left was stopped by Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.
Despite the scare, the hosts failed to pay attention to the Bahrain forward’s aerial prowess and paid the price in the 65th minute. Madhi stabbed home the rebound after his initial header at the near post off another left cross was tipped away by Hassan.
Jamal netted the second for the Bahrainis in the 81st minute. Rashed latched on the through-pass inside the box and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Abduljabbar then sealed the victory and Bahrain’s qualification six minutes from time when he headed home a corner inside the box for his second of the evening.
Following last night’s match with Singapore, Bahrain play their final qualifier against Turkmenistan on March 27 next year at home.
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