Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manama: Bahrain Football Association Vice President Sheikh Ali Bin Khalifa respects Yemen and Malaysia whom he considers as highly developed teams that will give them challenge in their qualifying campaign for the AFC Asian Cup Australia™ 2015.
A preliminary draw in Melbourne on Tuesday threw The Reds into Group D along with neighbours and familiar foes, the 2011 hosts-cum-quarter-finalists Qatar, alongside 2007 co-hosts Malaysia and the Yemenis.
Bahrain, who have taken part in the Asian Cup four times with their best showing in China 2004 where they finished as the fourth place winners, have played Yemen and Malaysia in the past, so Khalifa knows their group matches will not be easy.
“We have experience with teams like Yemen and Malaysia and we know how difficult the matches are going to be, as those two teams have noticeably developed,” Khalifa said.
“We will not underestimate any team, and we hope to reach the finals again. Bahrain will play in WAFF Championship in December 2012, and then the Gulf Cup 2013 before the start of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
“We feel comfortable after the draw, the draw is balanced, and our chances are strong between the four teams in our group. Everything is possible in football and all teams have equal chances, so we have to deal carefully with all matches.”
The Al Ahmar will face off against Yemen as their first opponents when the Asian Cup qualifiers kick off throughout the continent on 6 February next year.