Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manama: Abdulla Yusuf scored a brace as Bahrain wrapped up top spot in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifiers following a 4-0 victory over second-placed Turkmenistan on Tuesday.
Yusuf gave the home side an early lead before doubling the West Asians' advantage midway through the first half as Bahrain went into the break with a comfortable advantage.
Sayed Redha Hashim added a third in the 64th minute and Abdulla Yaser rounded off the scoring shortly after as Bahrain advanced to the United Arab Emirates on top of the standings.
With both sides locked together on 10 points, top spot was at stake at Bahrain National Stadium, although it was the visitors who required victory if they were to progress above Bahrain.
The hosts started brightly and, after a sustained period of pressure, opened the scoring on 12 minutes through Yusuf when the forward received the ball with his back to goal, turned and fired a powerful effort past Turkmen goalkeeper Mamed Orazmuhamedov.
Yusuf then doubled his and his team’s tally in the 24th minute when he controlled a cross into the box on his chest and volleyed into the far right corner to open up a two-goal lead for the West Asians.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bahrain-turkmenistan-livescore.html
