FOOTBALL – Bahrain suffered a heart-breaking 0-1 defeat to Indonesia last night in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the Fifa World Cup 2026.
Ole Romenij was on target for the hosts in the first half at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. His goal was enough to separate the two sides.
With the result, the Bahrainis are now out of the running for a direct berth in next year’s Fifa World Cup finals, with a spot in the top two of Group C now mathematically out of reach. The nationals were dealt their fourth loss after eight outings and remained on just six points on the table.
The Indonesians went to nine points with their second triumph to date.
Bahrain are now left to compete for third or fourth place in their pool, which would earn them a spot in a fourth round of Asian qualifying.
In other Group C games yesterday, leaders Japan were held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium 2002, while Australia claimed a 2-0 away victory against China at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
The Japanese, who have already secured their place in next year’s Fifa World Cup, maintained their unbeaten run and improved to 20 points. Saudi improved to 10 points in third place following a fourth draw.
The Australians, on the other hand, strengthened their hold on second position as they rose to 13 points with their third win. China stayed in last place with six points in Group C.
Bahrain now have just two fixtures to play in this round of continental qualifiers. Both are to be held in June – with the first against Saudi at home on June 5 and then the last on June 10 against China away.
Also on June 5, Australia take on Japan at home while Indonesia host China. On June 10, Saudi host Australia while Japan welcome Indonesia.
Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic fielded a starting 11 yesterday that included Ebrahim Luthfallah between the posts; Sayed Mahdi Baqer, Waleed Al Hayyam, Ahmed Bughammar, and Abdulla Al Khalasi in defence; Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Ali Madan, Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, Komail Al Aswad, and Mahdi Humaidan in a five-man midfield; and Mahdi Abduljabbar as the lone man up front.
They conceded Romenij’s goal in the 24th minute with the assist supplied by Indonesia teammate Marselino Ferdinan, who got free on the right. He then set Romenij up as he charged towards the box and Romenij fired in with his first touch to the right of the net.
The Bahrainis appeared to be off their game for much of the opening 45 minutes. They were oftentimes careless in possession, and headed into the half with zero shots on target.
The highlight for the kingdom’s side was a brilliant save by Luthfallah in the 15th minute. He punched away a free-kick taken by Thom Haye that was curling into goal from an acute angle.
The nationals appeared more composed to begin the second half, although Ferdinan could have added a second for his team in the opening minutes.
Bughammar then had a chance for the visitors but Indonesia’s Rizky Ridho headed the ball away right before it crossed the goal line. Later, a low effort from Saeed from more than 30 yards out was coolly collected by goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Luthfallah was then forced to make another fine save in the 63rd minute on a shot by Romenij, and then both Ferdinan and Eliano Reijnders had good chances to put the game away in the final half-hour, but could not finish.
For Bahrain, substitute Mohammed Al Rumaihi had a header off a cross by Bughammar go just wide of the right post. Talajic also brought on Hussain Abdulkarim and Ismaeel Abdullatif in an attempt to boost the nationals’ attack, but there were no real chances created to equalise.
The result was the first win for Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert in only his second game in charge for Indonesia.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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