Riyadh: Bahrain coach Adnan Hamad refused to blame his players for two own goals that gifted hosts Saudi Arabia a 3-0 win in their second Gulf Cup group match at the King Fahd International Stadium late on Sunday.
The Saudis went ahead before the half hour when The Reds keeper Syed Jaffar came out of his goal to force Salim Al Dawsari wide. However, Al Dawsari played the ball back into the box before Jaffar could intercept enabling Nasser Al Shamrani to tap into an open goal.
The Green Falcons added a second soon after the interval when Bahrain’s Abdullah Al Hazaa turned the ball into his own net after a cross from Saudi’s Saeed Al Muwallad. Bahrain’s humiliation was then complete 20 minutes from time when Mohammad Hussain scored another own-goal, accidentally tapping in from Salman Al Faraj’s cross.
Bahrain recorded a goalless draw with Yemen in their opening game on Thursday and must now beat Qatar in their last group fixture on Wednesday to stand any chance of survival.
“The goals came from three individual mistakes,” said Hamad. “Nothing can explain the conceding two own goals but a lack of focus. Sometimes, this happens in football when you play against a strong team and I don’t blame the players for their mistakes.
“You can’t compare the potential of Saudi’s players and the strength of their league to others in the region.
“It was a tough match and I think the conditions worked for the Saudi team, an injury to Hussain Ali Baba impacted on the midfield and Saudi Arabia took advantage. We now have a crucial final group game against Qatar with which to make amends.”
Qatar followed up Thursday’s opening 1-1 draw against the Saudis with a goalless draw against Yemen on Wednesday and will be just as eager as Bahrain to win their final group game. However, Hamad underplayed his side’s chances and fell just short of conceding their hopes of qualification.
“Our strategy is to build a team for the future after the retirement of a golden generation in recent years. This new generation needs the experience of playing games at a high level. I am optimistic for the future but this will take time and effort.”
Saudi Arabia coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, meanwhile, congratulated his players for the performance, which virtually assures qualification ahead of their final group game with Yemen on Wednesday.
“I’d like to congratulate the players on their efforts,” he said. “At the same time I’d like to thank all the fans who attended the game and supported the group in force.
“Bahrain were very organised in defence but we had the best offence and defence, we didn’t give them a chance but were able to find our way through.”
Caro then promised changes, both in tactics and personnel, against Yemen. “You may think of the 11, but we think of the group as a whole and work on progressing from the group together, that’s the key to success in any tournament.
“Against Qatar, we played long balls but today we played it short. Football changes from match to match like dancing does from song to song.”
