Latest news with #EbrahimLutfalla
Daily Tribune
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's World Cup Hopes on the Line Against Indonesia
Bahrain's World Cup Hopes on the Line Against Indonesia Bahrain's national team head into a critical AFC World Cup qualifier today, knowing that anything less than three points against Indonesia could spell the end of their 2026 hopes. At a press conference yesterday, head coach Dragan Talajić emphasized the stakes, saying, We have great respect for the Indonesian team and look forward to showcasing our quality in the upcoming match. Everything has been going smoothly in Jakarta—the people here are wonderful, and social media doesn't always reflect the full picture. We're not focusing on Indonesia's last game against Australia; our attention is fully on preparing for tomorrow's big match. Goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla added, 'We appreciate the Indonesian people for their warm welcome and hospitality. Our goal is to strengthen our position in the standings by securing three points and creating a gap between us and the competition." Despite the controversy surrounding the October match, the Bahraini squad has nothing but praise for Indonesia, highlighting their hospitality and competitive spirit. With both sides locked on six points in Group C, the clash at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (kick-off 4:45 PM Bahrain time) is as high-stakes as they come. Crunch Time in Group C With Japan already through and Australia (10 points), Saudi Arabia (9), and China (6) still battling for qualification spots, Bahrain and Indonesia are fighting to keep their chances alive. A win would take either side to nine points—potentially dragging them back into contention. A defeat, however, could leave them staring at an early exit. Dragan Talajić's Bahrain side arrive off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Japan on March 20, where defensive vulnerabilities were exposed. Mohamed Marhoon, who struck twice in the reverse fixture—a 2-2 draw in Riffa—remains a key figure, while Sayed Dhiya will be tasked with dictating play in midfield. Indonesia, meanwhile, are licking their wounds after a 5-1 hammering by Australia. Patrick Kluivert's men have shown flashes of attacking promise, with Rafael Struick finding the net against Bahrain last time out, but their leaky defence remains a major concern. Hostile Atmosphere Awaits Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is renowned for its intimidating atmosphere, and Bahrain will have to cope with both the crowd and a fired-up Indonesian side desperate to respond after their Sydney setback. The October meeting in Bahrain ended in controversy, with Indonesia furious at a late equaliser deep into stoppage time—fueling tensions ahead of this reverse fixture. Bahrain have spent the past few days acclimatising in Jakarta, fine-tuning their tactics and fitness levels. They'll need all of that preparation to withstand what promises to be an aggressive, high-tempo start from the hosts. A Must-Win for Bahrain With just two matches remaining after this—Saudi Arabia at home (June 5), China away (June 10)—Bahrain cannot afford to slip up. The margin for error is razor-thin. Expect a cagey, nervy affair with chances at both ends. Bahrain will look to Marhoon's finishing and Dhiya's creativity, while Indonesia will hope their home advantage and attacking pace can make the difference. It's set up to be a thriller, but with so much on the line, Bahrain will be feeling the pressure and looking to rise to the occasion.
Daily Tribune
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Unveils Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
TDT | Manama Bahrain's national football team has officially named its squad for the next phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and this group has the makings of something special. The announcement, made ahead of a crucial stretch of matches, carries the weight of a nation's dreams—to finally reach the World Cup finals for the first time in history. The Squad The 26-man roster, shared by the Bahrain Football Association, is a carefully curated mix of experience and youthful energy, a testament to coach Dragan Talajić's vision for this campaign. Leading the goalkeeping unit are Sayed Mohammed Jaffer and the ever-reliable Ebrahim Lutfalla, whose heroics have kept Bahrain in contention time and again. Defenders like Waleed Al-Hayam, Abdulla Al-Khalasi, and Sayed Baqer form a sturdy backline, with Al-Khalasi already proving his worth by scoring the lone goal in Bahrain's 1-0 upset over Australia in September 2024. In midfield, names like Komail Al-Aswad and Mohammed Al-Hardan stand out—Al-Aswad's playmaking, with two assists in the third round, has been a bright spot, while Al-Hardan's tenacity anchors the center. Up top, forwards Mahdi Abduljabbar and Abdulla Yusuf bring the firepower, each with two goals in this round, alongside Ali Madan, whose flair on the wing has troubled defenses across Asia. The full squad reads: Ebrahim Lutfalla Sayed Mohammed Jaffer Ammar Ahmed Hamad Al-Shamsan Abdulla Al-Khalasi Ahmed Bughammar Sayed Baqer Waleed Al-Hayam Ali Madan Komail Al-Aswad Mahdi Al-Humaidan Abdulwahab Al-Malood Mohammed Al-Hardan Mahdi Abduljabbar Ahmed Al-Sherooqi Jasim Al-Shaikh Abdulla Yusuf Ali Haram Mohammed Adel Ebrahim Al-Khattal Husain Madan Mohammed Jameel Sayed Redha Issa Hasan Al-Karrani Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh Abdulla Al-Awadhi A Daunting Group C Challenge Bahrain finds itself in Group C of the third round, a gauntlet that includes Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China PR, and Indonesia. With five matches played, Bahrain sits third with 8 points, having secured a gritty away win over Australia (1-0), thanks to a goal from Al-Khalasi, and hard-fought draws against Indonesia (2-2), with Marhoon scoring a brace, and Saudi Arabia (0-0). But losses to Japan (0-5) and China (2-3) have shown the fine margins they're navigating. Japan leads the group with 13 points, followed by Australia (9) and Bahrain (8), while Saudi Arabia (7), China (4), and Indonesia (4) trail. The top two teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, with third and fourth advancing to further rounds—a tight race that leaves little room for error. Japan Looms Large The next test is a formidable one: an away clash against group leaders Japan on March 20. Japan has been ruthless, scoring 18 goals in five matches, and Bahrain will need their defense, led by Al-Hayyam, to hold firm. After that, they host Australia on March 25, a chance to repeat their earlier heroics. There's a hunger in this squad, a belief that they can rewrite history. 'We're ready to fight for every point,' Al-Aswad said recently, a sentiment that echoes through this roster. A Nation's Hopes on Their Shoulders Bahrain has never reached the World Cup finals, but with this crop of players—riding the high of a dramatic Gulf Cup win in early January—the dream feels tantalizingly close. The expanded 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico offers more spots for AFC teams, and Bahrain is determined to seize the opportunity. As they prepare for Japan, the nation watches, hoping this squad can finally break through. For locals, this is a story worth following every step of the way.
