Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dashoguz: Mohamed Al Romaihi and Abdulla Yaser scored as unbeaten Bahrain moved to the top of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying Group E after recording a 2-1 win over Turkmenistan on Tuesday.
Seeking a fifth consecutive appearance at the tournament, Bahrain added to March’s goalless draw at home to Singapore despite Murat Yakshiyev’s late consolation for the home side after Al Romaihi had opened the scoring after 55 minutes before Yaser added the crucial second with 11 minutes remaining.
Bahrain sit a point clear of both Turkmenistan and Chinese Taipei, who beat Singapore 2-1 away from home last week.
Turkmenistan sought to take control of the game from the first whistle, but the home side found a well-organised Bahrain defence tough to break down as Yakshiyev and Altymyrat Annadurdyyew failed to find the target.
Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed Abbas was called into action to deny Suleyman Muhadov as the home side continued to press.
But Bahrain started to find a way into the contest as the half progressed as Ismail Abdullatif and Al Romaihi were denied by Turkmenistan goalkeeper Mammet Orazmuhammedow.
Bahrain’s dominance continued at the start of the second half and the visitors opened the scoring 10 minutes after the break as Al Romaihi capatalised on a mistake from the Turkmenistan defence.
The visitors continued to press and Yaser then added a crucial second for the visitors with 11 minutes remaining.
Turkmenistan, though, set up a tense finale as Yakshiyev fired home with four minutes remaining, although it proved to be too little too late as Bahrain held onto their advantage in the closing stages.
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