Bahrain Eye Strong Arab Cup Finish

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s national football team will look to close their FIFA Arab Cup campaign with renewed spirit when they face Sudan tonight at 8pm at Education City Stadium in Doha. The match carries no impact on the Group D standings after both teams were eliminated, but it offers Bahrain an important chance to rebuild confidence after a difficult week.

Their heavy 1-5 loss to Algeria on Saturday ended their hopes of reaching the knockout stage and left head coach Dragan Talajic visibly disappointed. He took full responsibility for the result and admitted that the team needed stronger mental preparation heading into the match.

Talajic still praised his players’ effort, noting that they fought through a fast-changing first half and were unlucky to see an early goal ruled out. Once Algeria took the lead, Bahrain struggled to regain control, and a penalty conceded just before halftime made their task even harder. The coach apologised to supporters but reaffirmed his commitment to standing by his players and learning from the experience.

With both Bahrain and Sudan out of contention, tonight’s match is a chance for both sides to finish on a more positive note. It gives Bahrain an opportunity to test adjustments, show renewed determination, and offer fans a stronger performance.

Elsewhere in the group, Algeria and leaders Iraq will also play at 8pm at Khalifa International Stadium to determine the top spot. For Bahrain, the objective is straightforward: respond with resilience and end their tournament on a brighter note.