Al Shaikh backs Bahrain to handle pressure of title defence

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain midfielder Jassim Al Shaikh believes the national team’s experience will be key as the reigning Gulf Cup champions prepare for a demanding period that includes their title defence and the AFC Asian Cup 2027.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Al Shaikh said Bahrain’s squad has the maturity to handle expectations following their recent success in regional football.

The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) will be hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from September 23 to October 6. Bahrain enter the tournament as defending champions, having lifted the trophy in January 2025. That triumph marked their second Gulf Cup title, following their maiden victory in 2019.

The national team will then turn its attention to the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled for January 7 to February 5, 2027. The 19th edition will feature 24 teams across three host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar.

Despite being drawn in a challenging Gulf Cup group alongside Qatar, the UAE and Yemen, Al Shaikh insisted that the nature of regional football makes predictions difficult.

“In the Gulf Cup, it doesn’t really matter which group you’re in,” he said. “The matches are always tight because they are derbies. There is very little difference between the teams.”

Bahrain enter the competition with raised expectations after defeating Oman 2–1 in the previous final, but Al Shaikh believes their experience will help them manage pressure.

“We are under pressure as defending champions, but we have an experienced group,” he said. “Many players have featured in four, five, or more Gulf Cups, and that experience will be important.”

He also pointed to the timing and conditions of the tournament as additional challenges.

“The competition comes early in the season, and the weather will still be humid. We need to arrive fully prepared physically and mentally,” he added.

Looking ahead to the Asian Cup, Bahrain have been drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Jordan and Uzbekistan. Al Shaikh believes the team can target a strong run if they start well.

“The group is challenging but manageable,” he said. “If we begin strongly, we believe we can progress.”

He noted Bahrain’s familiarity with some opponents but acknowledged Uzbekistan as a tougher tactical challenge.

“We’ve played North Korea and Jordan several times and understand them well. Uzbekistan is less familiar, but we will have time to prepare.”

Bahrain’s best Asian Cup finish came in 2004, when they reached the semi-finals. Al Shaikh said the current squad should aim to match or improve on that achievement.

“Our goal is to equal or surpass that performance,” he said. “First we must get out of the group stage, then take it step by step.”

For Al Shaikh, the message remains simple as Bahrain prepare for two major tournaments.

“It’s tournament football, and anything can happen. We need to stay focused, work hard and believe in ourselves.”