Bahrain U23 demolish Brunei in Asian Cup qualifiers

Bahrain’s under-23 Olympic football team reignited their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifying campaign with a ruthless 10-0 win over Brunei Darussalam in Doha.

After a disappointing 0-2 defeat to India in their opening match, the young Bahrainis produced a relentless attacking display at Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium to claim their first points in Group H and keep their qualification hopes alive.

Five goals came in a sensational first half. Abdulla Obaidli struck twice, opening the scoring in just the third minute before adding a second midway through the half. Saud Mohsin, Abdulrahman Al Khayyat, and captain Mubarak Mohammed also found the net before the break to put Bahrain firmly in control.

The scoring didn’t stop there. Mohammed added his second goal in the 48th minute, Sayed Mahmood AlMoosawi made it seven in the 61st, Khalid Khalaf struck in the 71st, and Abdulla AlSubaiei rounded off the rout with goals in the 87th and 96th minutes.

The win was a welcome response for head coach Ali Abdulmajeed and his side, who had been under pressure to deliver following the setback against India. It also gave them a huge boost in goal difference, which is a factor that could prove decisive in the race for qualification.

Group H is now finely poised. Hosts Qatar lead the standings with two wins from two, after they beat India yesterday. Bahrain sit second with three points, level with India but ahead on goal difference thanks to their 10-0 thrashing of Brunei. Brunei are bottom of the group with no points after suffering two heavy defeats.

Bahrain’s win keeps them in contention to top Group H or at least finish among the four best runners-up from the 11 qualifying pools — the pathway to next year’s AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The night was a positive step for a squad aiming to reach the continental tournament for only the second time in their history, having made their debut at the 2020 edition in Bangkok. The Bahrainis will now turn their attention to their final group fixture against Qatar on Tuesday at 8pm.