Bahrain hold Ukraine in Kharkiv 1-1

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain held European giants Ukraine to a 1-1 draw last night in an international friendly match played at Metalist Oblast Sports Complex in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

Substitute Sayed Dhiya Saeed fired in from the penalty spot in the 74th minute to put the Bahrainis ahead, but it was not enough to get the win as the hosts were able to equalise in the opening minute of stoppage time through Viktor Tsyhankov.

It was an impressive result for Bahrain, who is ranked 99th in the world, against their 24thranked opponents.

Ukraine dominated possession throughout the match and had a huge advantage on shot attempts, 26-6.

But the Bahrainis held their own and were able to come away with the stalemate.

The tune-up was part of both teams’ preparations for the upcoming international play next month.

The Bahrainis are gearing up for their remaining joint-qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023, while Ukraine is prepping for their campaign in Euro 2021.

The Bahrainis are now scheduled to fly back to Bahrain today.

They are set to play another exhibition game on Friday against Malaysia ahead of the joint-qualifiers.

Bahrain head coach Helio Sousa fielded a starting 11 that included Ebrahim Lutfallah between the posts; Ahmed Nabeel, Hamad Al Shamsan, Ahmed Abdulla and Sayed Redha Isa on the backline; Mohammed Marhoon, Ali Haram, Jassim Al-Shaikh, Mahdi Humaidan and Komail Alaswad in a five-man midfield; and Mohammed Al Rumaihi as the lone striker.

Lutfallah was on top of his game, making several fine saves and keeping the visitors in it for much of the match.

After a goalless first half, Bahrain was given a penalty in the 73rd minute when Humaidan was taken down by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the penalty area.

Saeed stepped up to take the spot-kick the very next minute, and he was able to send the ball home.

Saeed had a chance to put the game away in the 89th minute after receiving a brilliant pass from Ali Madan, but he shot just inches wide of the left post. Ukraine eventually made Bahrain pay for that missed opportunity.

Pressing hard for a leveller, Artem Dovbyk was able to send in a cross from the left of the box directly to an unmarked Tsyhankov on the other side of the goal, and he just needed to tap the ball in from close range.

Bahrain is in Group C of joint-qualifying, along with Iraq, Iran, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

They are set to go against Cambodia on June 3, Iran on June 7 and then Hong Kong on June 15, all in the Kingdom.

The Bahrainis are currently second in the group with nine points.

Iraq is the leaders with 11, Iran third with six, while Hong Kong and Cambodia complete the Group C table with five points and one point, respectively.