BAHRAIN GO SECOND AFTER WIN OVER HOST

The Middle Eastern side opened account in the 34th minute off Hasan Ahmed Ishaq before adding their second goal in the game from Salman Ahmed Aldakheel in the 62nd minute.

“The aim was to beat Indonesia and we did just that as we did not want to take the risk from the other matches,” said Zouaoui Hosni, the head coach for Bahrain after the match.

“Now, our next target is to beat Malaysia so that we can play in the final.”

The game started off on a frantic note with Indonesia testing the Bahraini backline off Rizky Pelly from a cross off Kurniawan.

Seven minutes later, Achmad Octavian blasted his chance wide while Bahrain got into the game in the 33rd minute from Fahreza Agamal only to be denied.

In the 34th minute, Bahrain went in front when Hasan Ishaq headed in the cross from Sayed Dhiya Saeed.

Indonesia tried to get back into the game in the closing stages of the first half but just could not break through the Bahraini defence.

They fell further behind after the break when Salma Aldakheel blasted in a one-timer to beat Egha Putra Mahardika for teh second time in the game.

And even though, Egha was substituted a while later with Ludiansyah Putra, there was no denying Bahrain the win and the three points as they moved up to second at the standings behind Australia.

“The team is still in the development stage,” added Mundari Karya, the head coach for Indonesia.

“But the game was an improvement from their last match against Australia.”

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE and RESULTS

09/07/08
AUSTRALIA 2 BAHRAIN 1
SINGAPORE 0 MALAYSIA 2

11/07/08
BAHRAIN 1 SINGAPORE 0
INDONESIA 0 AUSTRALIA 6

13/07/08
AUSTRALIA 4 MALAYSIA 1
BAHRAIN 2 INDONESIA 0

15/07/08
1600 WIB: Malaysia vs Indonesia
1900 WIB: Singapore vs Australia

17/07/08
1600 WIB: Indonesia vs Singapore
1900 WIB: Malaysia vs Bahrain

19/07/08
1600 WIB: Third vs Fourth
1900 WIB: First vs Second (Grand Final)

CURRENT STANDINGS

1. AUSTRALIA 9pts (+12)

2. BAHRAIN 6pts (+2)

3. MALAYSIA 3pts (+1)

4. SINGAPORE 0pt (-3)

5. INDONESIA 0pt (-8)