BAHRAIN put up a strong showing last night managing a 2-2 draw against Canada in a friendly match at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
The Canadians, who are ranked 41st as per the latest Fifa rankings, started strongly, forcing Bahrain to concede an early corner seconds into the game, which was defended well by the home side.
The visitors, however, took the lead in the sixth minute, after a good touch by Ismael Kone allowed him to speed past the Bahraini defence and score to put Canda up 1-0.
They had a chance to double their lead in the 12th minute, only for the Canadian striker to be ruled offside.
Not too long after, Bahrain equalised in the 14th minute after a good counterattack, where Mahdi Humaidan was able to put away Abdulla Yusuf Helal’s pass to level the score.
Canadian keeper Dayne St Clair got a touch to it, but it was not enough to stop Humaidan from making it 1-1.
With the momentum shifting, Bahrain had a chance to take the lead a couple of minutes later, but the Canadian keeper was up to the occasion.
Following a rehydration break, in the 32nd minute, Helal took a shot from outside the box that was again saved by the Canadian keeper.
Barely a minute later, the Canadians had a chance to take back the lead following a corner, but Kamal Miller’s header in front of goal went off target.
A direct free kick just outside the box went under the wall but straight at Bahraini keeper Ibrahim Latifullah for an easy save, ending the first half level at 1-1.
In the second half, the Canadians had a chance to score in the 50th minute, but Kone’s header went wide.
Three minutes later, the Canadians came across another chance, but Toronto FC legend Jonathan Osorio was unable to strike the target.
Bahrain then had the chance to grab the lead for the first time in the 58th minute, only for the shot to go high and wide.
In the 61st minute, Mohammed Marhoon smashed a freekick from just outside the box, but it was well saved by St Clair.
Bahrain finally took the lead in the 65th minute through a Helal penalty after Marhoon was brought down in the box by Canadian defender Alistair Johnston.
The lead lasted until the 81st minute, when Canada equalised courtesy of Lucas Cavallini, whose shot found its way past the Bahraini keeper.
Canada had a couple of more chances to score, but some strong defending from Bahrain denied them another goal.
Bahrain finished the match with a respectable 2-2 draw against a Canadian side that will play in the Fifa World Cup Finals later this month in Qatar.
Bahrain’s next match – on Friday – will be another difficult test against European heavyweights Serbia, who boast players from top clubs around Europe.
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