‘We Will Show Something Special’

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain held their first training session in Jeddah yesterday as preparations gathered pace for their title defence at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, also known as Khaleeji 27.

The defending champions took to the training pitch following their arrival in Saudi Arabia, with attention firmly on Thursday’s Group B opener against Qatar.

Head coach Dragan Talajic said the players would use the coming days to recover from their journey and ready themselves for what he expects to be a demanding campaign.

“A very big tournament is waiting for us,” the Croatian told the media. “It is a big challenge to defend our trophy and bring it back home. It will be difficult.”

Conditions in Jeddah will not be used as an excuse, he insisted, pointing out that every team faces the same circumstances.

“Whoever wants to be champion will show it on the pitch,” he added. “We will show something special and hopefully stay for a long time here in Jeddah.”

The Reds head into Khaleeji 27 looking to retain the crown they won with a 2-1 comeback victory over Oman in the 2025 final in Kuwait. That triumph secured Bahrain’s second Gulf Cup title following their maiden success in 2019.

Group A gets the tournament underway tomorrow, with Iraq facing Oman at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium at 5.30pm before hosts Saudi Arabia take on Kuwait at Alinma Bank Stadium at 9pm.

Group B begins on Thursday, with the UAE meeting Yemen at Alinma at 6pm before Bahrain launch their title defence against Qatar at 9pm.

The kingdom then face the UAE on Sunday before rounding off their preliminary-round campaign against Yemen next Wednesday, with all three of their matches taking place at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium.