Bahrain claim dramatic win in AFC Asian Cup!

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Ali Madan fired in a dramatic winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to lift Bahrain to a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Malaysia last night in the AFC Asian Cup in Doha.

The star midfielder sent in a left-footed effort from the outside edge of the penalty box that barely made it past the opposing goalkeeper and into the net.

Madan’s strike earned the Bahrainis the full three points with their first win of this year’s competition, keeping their hopes alive of making it past the preliminary stage.

Bahrain is currently third on the Group E standings with their lone victory so far, which followed a 1-3 loss to continental giants South Korea earlier last week.

The South Koreans and Jordan top the group, with the Jordanians occupying first place on goal difference.

The two teams played to a 2-2 stalemate in yesterday’s other divisional fixture.

Malaysia are bottom of the table following their second straight loss yesterday.

The nationals play one last game in this phase as they hope to make it to the next round.

They take on Jordan on Thursday later this week in their decisive fixture, which will be played at Khalifa International Stadium at the Qatari capital.

The Bahrainis must win to ensure their place in the round of 16, or at least be one of the four best third-placers from the six groups in the preliminaries to make it through.

South Korea and Malaysia face off in the other Group E clash that same day.

Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm, Bahrain time, at separate venues.

In last night’s encounter, both sides had a few chances on either side of the break but neither could break through.

Heroics

Just as it appeared that Bahrain would end the game with a disappointing draw, Madan provided his end-game heroics with the late winner.

His shot came after a corner-kick by Ali Hassan Saeed was cleared by Malaysia defender Shahrul Saad.

Madan received the ball outside the area and then set himself up for a left-footed shot. His attempt was low and it rolled past a group of players in the box before squeezing into the bottom-right corner of the net past goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi, who tried to make a diving save.

The goal sent the Bahrain team, including their bench with head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, into jubilant celebrations.

The nationals were able to hold on to their slim advantage until the final whistle soon after. Earlier in the contest, chances were few and far between.

Prior to Madan’s winner, Bahrain’s best chance was from Saeed, also in second-half stoppage time in the 91st minute.

He had a brilliant one-two with Abdulla Yusuf, who provided the perfect through-ball.

But Saeed’s left-footed effort in the face of goal was too weak, and it was saved by Hazmi with his left leg.

Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Luthfallah also made a good stop early in the game on a 16th minute shot by Arif Aiman from the centre of the box.

Malaysia’s best chance came late on when defender Matthew Davies hit a powerful volley that flew just inches over the crossbar.

Pizzi started last night’s match with Lutfhallah between the posts, Mohammed Adel, Sayed Mahdi Baqer, Waleed Al Hayyam and Hazza Ali in defence.

Madan was joined in the five-man midfield by Komail Al Aswad, Mohammed Marhoon, Moses Atede and Mohammed Al Hardan, while Abdulla Al Hashash was the lone man in front.