Bahrain target crucial win over Afghanistan

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain will look to bounce back from their latest defeat when they face Afghanistan tonight in their final AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 qualifier at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.

Ali Aamer's side enter the 8.30pm clash on three points and remain in the race for a place at next year's continental finals in China.

The kingdom's youngsters opened their Group D campaign with a 3-2 victory over Tajikistan, inspired by an Ali Mahran hat-trick, before suffering a 2-1 loss to the Jordan.

Bader Al Asam had cancelled out Naser Majdi's opener in that match, only for Saoud Feras to score deep into stop page time.

Jordan lead the group with six points, with the Bahrainis and Tajikistan on three each. The Afghans sit bottom without a point after losing 1-0 to Jordan and 4-1 to Tajikistan.

Aamer's men will now target victory to move to six points and strengthen their chances of advancing, although their final position will also depend on the earlier meeting between Jordan and Tajikistan at 5pm at the same venue.

The eight group winners qualify automatically, while the seven best runners-up across the eight groups also advance, giving the nationals another possible route to their first AFC U20 Asian Cup appearance since 2016.

Next year's finals will be held in China from March 24 to April 10.