Bahrain players celebrate after scoring a goal yesterday. PIC: HUSSAIN SAYED
Bahrain yesterday completed the main round draw for the inaugural FIFA Arab Cup, defeating Kuwait 2-0 in the final play-off at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium.
It was another dominant show from the Gulf side in Qatar following their maiden Arabian Gulf Cup title in 2019. Following the win, Bahrain have joined hosts Qatar, Iraq and Oman in Group A.
Ali Haram (73rd minute) and Hashim Sayed Isa (90+5) were the scorers as Bahrain dominated the second half after a tough opening session.
The Gulf rivals started cautiously as not many chances were created during the first half.
Haram made his first attempt on goal with a beautiful header in 16th minute, which was punched away by Kuwait goalkeeper Khaled Al Rashidi in a similar manner. Five minutes before half-time, Kuwait captain headed the ball off Yousef Al Sulaiman’s cross but Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed was well placed to block the attempt.
Bahrain’s appeal for a penalty in 56th was turned down after referee consulted VAR.
But the Gulf Cup champions continued to dominate the session, and Haram finally broke the deadlock after a clever pass from Mahdi Al Humaidan.
Isa sealed victory with a strike from close range.
Apart from Bahrain; Sudan, Oman, Jordan, Mauritania, Lebanon and Palestine cleared the qualification round to advance to the group stage.
Meanwhile, President of the Comoros Football Association Ali Sayed Othman praised Qatar’s ‘perfect’ organisation of the qualifying stage that decided seven berths for the inaugural FIFA Arab Cup to be staged from November 30 to December 18.
“I would like to thank Qatar for perfect staging of the qualifiers,” Othman said in a statement.
“We are confident that the tournament will be organised perfectly, especially that the Qatar is on going to host the FIFA World Cup. The country has gained great confidence to host this major event. We are pleased with our first participation in a competition such as the Arab Cup,” he added.
Meanwhile, Palestinian striker Tamer Siam, whose team crushed Comoros 5-1 to book their ticket in main round on Thursday said the local organising committee did an excellent job during the event.
“We received the best hospitality in Doha,” said the striker.
“The organisation was wonderful, and we did not experience the professionalism that we saw here before. Everything was organised in a way that was more than excellent, the facilities were perfect."
We are happy that we will return again to Qatar to participate in the finals,” the striker added.
Kuwait’s Al Mutawa makes history
Kuwait’s FIFA Arab Cup qualifier against Bahrain was the game that finally allowed Kuwaiti forward Bader Al Mutawa to become the most-capped player in the history of men’s football.
Earlier this month, during the third round of AFC qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Al Mutawa won his 184th cap to tie the record of Egyptian legend Ahmed Hassan. - FIFA
