Qatar’s Abdulkarim Hassan (right) fights for ball possession against Bahrain’s Abdulwahab Al Malood during their 2015 Asian Cup qualifying match at National Stadium in Manama yesterday. Bahrain won 1-0. RIGHT: Bahrain’s Faouzi Aaish (left) celebrates his goal with team-mate Hussain Baba.
MANAMA: Hosts Bahrain yesterday relied on a first-half strike to beat neighbouring Qatar 1-0 in their 2015 Asian Cup qualifying match.
A slick goal by Faouzi Aaish in the 20th minute helped the home team beat Qatar at National Stadium.
Aaish took on a looping pass on his chest and then rifled home the deflection despite being given a hot pursuit by Qatar defender Bilal Mohammed.
Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb could have stopped the shot but the ball slipped through his hands and hit the net, much to the delight of a small crowd at National Stadium.
It was Bahrain’s second successive win in the campaign following their 2-0 victory over Yemen last month.
Qatar’s Sebastian Soria came close to equalising for his side late in the second half but the ball flew past the Bahrain goalpost.
A few minutes before the end of the first half, Qatar striker Khalfan Ibrahim curled in a powerful shot that was stopped by Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed.
Playing in whites, Qatari players were seen in numerous arguments with Omani referee Abdullah Mohammed.
Bahrain’s Hussain Baba said: “It was a good win. Thank God, we put in a good performance against a good Qatari side. We had to fight for this win.”
It was Qatar’s first loss in their 2015 Asian Cup campaign.
Last month, the Fahad Thani-coached side beat Malaysia at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.
Also yesterday, hosts Malaysia beat Yemen 2-1 at Shah Alam Stadium.
Khyril Muhymeen came off the bench to head in a later winner as Malaysia revived their hope of qualifying for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Yemen at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Qatar team now flies to Seoul for their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against hosts Korea.
Yesterday’s loss was the first poor result for coach Fahad who took over the reigns in late January.
Qatar’s Hamid Ismail said: “We will keep fighting. We know we have lost a game but we can come back with a strong performance in the next round.”
THE PENINSULA
