FOOTBALL – THE Bahrain Football Association (BFA) announced yesterday that Bahraini fans will be able to enjoy free entry to the National Stadium tomorrow for the kingdom’s match against Japan in the third round of Asian qualifying for the Fifa World Cup 2026. This comes under the directives of BFA president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
Tomorrow’s contest is scheduled for a 7pm kick-off. It will be both teams’ second games in this round of qualifying, with each coming away triumphant in their openers. The Bahrainis claimed an historic 1-0 away victory over Australia in the Gold Coast last Thursday, which was their first-ever win against the ‘Socceroos’ in international play at the senior men’s level. The Japanese, meanwhile, routed China 7-0 at home in Saitama, Japan.
BFA secretary general Rashed Alzaabi said that the federation is keen on the fans’ support for the national team in this important fixture against Asia’s top-ranked side. He explained that Shaikh Ali’s instructions are in appreciation of the fans’ role in enriching Bahrain’s qualifying journey for the next Fifa World Cup.
Alzaabi noted that fans were and still are fundamental supporters of the kingdom’s successes in all levels of football. He added that the free seating for Bahraini fans covers both the category one seats on the left side of the VIP section at the National Stadium, as well as the general admission seats on the opposite end of the venue. Meanwhile, Bahrain’s national team conducted a closed-doors training session last night at Al Ahli Club Stadium in Mahooz. Head coach Dragan Talajic supervised the practice, with all 27 of Bahrain’s players taking part. The nationals are currently holding an internal camp at InterContinental Bahrain in the lead-up to tomorrow’s clash.
Japan have already arrived in the kingdom and have begun their on-pitch preparations at a local club. The visitors are staying at Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa Bahrain.
Their national team welcomed a group of Japanese children from the kingdom and neighbouring Gulf countries who came to support their side, according to the Japan Football Association (JFA). The JFA posted photographs on social media of the players interacting with their young fans after practice. The football stars took photos and signed autographs for the kids. Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has described Bahrain as “a counter-attacking team with a very strong defence”, according to the JFA’s scouting report published on their official website.
Moriyasu also has 27 players for the Bahrain game – a majority of whom suit up for top football clubs across Europe. Talajic and Moriyasu will be speaking to the media today in separate Press conferences ahead of their teams’ final training sessions at the National Stadium. The official pre-game technical meeting will also be held with representatives from both national teams set to attend.
In other Group C fixtures tomorrow, Indonesia host Australia at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, while China welcome Saudi Arabia to Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium. Both contests are scheduled for 3pm kick-offs, Bahrain time. Action in continental qualification’s third round continues until June of next year. There are three groups in this phase. Group A features Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea; while Group B is composed of South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait.
The top two finishers from each will punch their tickets to the Fifa World Cup 2026 finals.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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