vette4ever
July 18th, 2004, 01:58 AM
http://www.asiancup2004.com/shared/media/photos/ac2004-teampic-bhr01.jpg
Coach: Srecko Juricic
Bahrain's bid to qualify for the Asian Cup was not without its hiccups, but the tiny Gulf kingdom sealed a berth in the finals after finishing second to Iraq in Group F.
The campaign started disastrously when Srecko Juricic's side were thrashed 5-1 by Iraq in the opening game. But they picked themselves up to score an important draw against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur to get their campaign back on track.
What the side lacked in experience and pedigree it made up for in sheer enterprise and enthusiasm, so much so that in the final group game, Juricic’s side managed a stunning 1-0 victory over Iraq, a result which brought Bahrain level on points with Iraq at the top of the group.
Talal Yusuf and Husain Ali were the architects of Bahrain’s inspiring run, scoring three goals each, while Saleh Farhan, Mahmood Jalal and A’ala Hubail, with two goals each, lent ample support as Bahrain qualified for only their second appearance in the Asian Cup.
ATTACK
Under previous coach Wolfgang Sidka, who took Bahrain to the Final Round of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, a 3-5-2 formation was the norm for Bahrain. Juricic, who took over in June 2003, prefers a more orthodox 4-4-2 system which makes good use of Bahrain’s strength in midfield and their ability to launch rapid counter-attacks.
Up front, A’ala Hubail leads the line. The Al Ahli player has been in prolific form going into the Asian Cup, scoring five goals in Bahrain’s three 2006 World Cup qualifiers to date. Hubail is partnered up front by either Husain Ali or by Duaij Naser, who was the top scorer in the Bahrain league in 2004.
In midfield, Rashid Al Dosari, Mahmood Jalal, Mohammed Salmeen and Talal Yusuf provide the link between defence and attack. Al Dosari and Salmeen are both capable of overlapping the strikers and are equally strong with both feet. Ghazi Al Kuwari and Salman Isa, both listed as defenders, can also play in midfield, offering the team width down the right and left flanks respectively.
In recent games, Bahrain’s most potent moves have come from long passes down the centre or through short but quick passing down the middle.
DEFENCE
Young Hussain Baba, who captained the Bahrain Olympic team to the brink of the Athens Games, is the key man in Bahrain’s defence while experienced Faisal Abdulaziz, also the captain, the ever-reliable Mohamed Husain and hard-working Mohammed Juma have their roles carved out for them.
Under Juricic, these players are instructed to get the ball forward early, either by sending long balls to the strikers or by passing the ball short to the central midfielders. All four are tough as nails and give first-choice goalkeeper Ali Saeed much needed cover and confidence.
The 23-year-old keeper made his full debut during the second set of Asian Cup qualifiers in Bahrain and conceded just one goal.
FIRST ROUND PROSPECTS
Bahrain have made rapid strides up the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings in the last 18 months. In 2003, they were named Mover of the Year by FIFA for a 41-place rise in the table. On top of that, Bahrain also finished runners-up in the Gulf Cup at the turn of the year.
Despite this impressive track record, Juricic’s team are still regarded as minnows compared with some of the other sides from the Gulf. But Indonesia, Qatar and China will underestimate Bahrain at their peril.
Bahrain drew with Qatar in the Gulf Cup in January and played out a 2-2 draw with China the last time the two met in 2002.
Indonesia and Bahrain last met in 1988. The game was goalless. A lot has changed since then and the Bahrain players, many of whom will have benefited from their involvement with the Olympic team’s impressive run earlier in the year, are confident of finishing second in their group behind hosts China.
The game against Qatar on July 21 is likely to decide who qualifies in second place behind the hosts. Do not expect Bahrain to go quietly.
- Vijay Mruthyunjaya/FootballAsia
ROAD TO CHINA
24/10/03 - Bahrain 1 Iraq 0
22/10/03 - Bahrain 3 Malaysia 1
20/10/03 - Bahrain 4 Myanmar 0
12/10/03 - Malaysia 2 Bahrain 2
10/10/03 - Myanmar 1 Bahrain 3
08/10/03 - Bahrain 1 Iraq 5
- Finished second to Iraq in Qualifying Group F
Coach: Srecko Juricic
Bahrain's bid to qualify for the Asian Cup was not without its hiccups, but the tiny Gulf kingdom sealed a berth in the finals after finishing second to Iraq in Group F.
The campaign started disastrously when Srecko Juricic's side were thrashed 5-1 by Iraq in the opening game. But they picked themselves up to score an important draw against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur to get their campaign back on track.
What the side lacked in experience and pedigree it made up for in sheer enterprise and enthusiasm, so much so that in the final group game, Juricic’s side managed a stunning 1-0 victory over Iraq, a result which brought Bahrain level on points with Iraq at the top of the group.
Talal Yusuf and Husain Ali were the architects of Bahrain’s inspiring run, scoring three goals each, while Saleh Farhan, Mahmood Jalal and A’ala Hubail, with two goals each, lent ample support as Bahrain qualified for only their second appearance in the Asian Cup.
ATTACK
Under previous coach Wolfgang Sidka, who took Bahrain to the Final Round of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, a 3-5-2 formation was the norm for Bahrain. Juricic, who took over in June 2003, prefers a more orthodox 4-4-2 system which makes good use of Bahrain’s strength in midfield and their ability to launch rapid counter-attacks.
Up front, A’ala Hubail leads the line. The Al Ahli player has been in prolific form going into the Asian Cup, scoring five goals in Bahrain’s three 2006 World Cup qualifiers to date. Hubail is partnered up front by either Husain Ali or by Duaij Naser, who was the top scorer in the Bahrain league in 2004.
In midfield, Rashid Al Dosari, Mahmood Jalal, Mohammed Salmeen and Talal Yusuf provide the link between defence and attack. Al Dosari and Salmeen are both capable of overlapping the strikers and are equally strong with both feet. Ghazi Al Kuwari and Salman Isa, both listed as defenders, can also play in midfield, offering the team width down the right and left flanks respectively.
In recent games, Bahrain’s most potent moves have come from long passes down the centre or through short but quick passing down the middle.
DEFENCE
Young Hussain Baba, who captained the Bahrain Olympic team to the brink of the Athens Games, is the key man in Bahrain’s defence while experienced Faisal Abdulaziz, also the captain, the ever-reliable Mohamed Husain and hard-working Mohammed Juma have their roles carved out for them.
Under Juricic, these players are instructed to get the ball forward early, either by sending long balls to the strikers or by passing the ball short to the central midfielders. All four are tough as nails and give first-choice goalkeeper Ali Saeed much needed cover and confidence.
The 23-year-old keeper made his full debut during the second set of Asian Cup qualifiers in Bahrain and conceded just one goal.
FIRST ROUND PROSPECTS
Bahrain have made rapid strides up the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings in the last 18 months. In 2003, they were named Mover of the Year by FIFA for a 41-place rise in the table. On top of that, Bahrain also finished runners-up in the Gulf Cup at the turn of the year.
Despite this impressive track record, Juricic’s team are still regarded as minnows compared with some of the other sides from the Gulf. But Indonesia, Qatar and China will underestimate Bahrain at their peril.
Bahrain drew with Qatar in the Gulf Cup in January and played out a 2-2 draw with China the last time the two met in 2002.
Indonesia and Bahrain last met in 1988. The game was goalless. A lot has changed since then and the Bahrain players, many of whom will have benefited from their involvement with the Olympic team’s impressive run earlier in the year, are confident of finishing second in their group behind hosts China.
The game against Qatar on July 21 is likely to decide who qualifies in second place behind the hosts. Do not expect Bahrain to go quietly.
- Vijay Mruthyunjaya/FootballAsia
ROAD TO CHINA
24/10/03 - Bahrain 1 Iraq 0
22/10/03 - Bahrain 3 Malaysia 1
20/10/03 - Bahrain 4 Myanmar 0
12/10/03 - Malaysia 2 Bahrain 2
10/10/03 - Myanmar 1 Bahrain 3
08/10/03 - Bahrain 1 Iraq 5
- Finished second to Iraq in Qualifying Group F