Courtesy: Gulf Daily News


Bahrain face Iraq in futsal opener

Friday, December 09, 2011

BAHRAIN's national futsal team hope to begin their title bid on a high note today when they take on Iraq on the inaugural day of the West Asian Championship in Kuwait.

The Group 'B' opener, set for 7pm kick-off, will be played at Al Arabi Club's gym. The group also features Lebanon and the UAE.

It's a crucial game for the Bahrainis who seek the full three points before taking on Lebanon in their second game tomorrow.

Bahrain will be looking to finish in the top two to qualify for the semi-finals, to be held on Thursday. The final is scheduled for December 16.

Four matches will be played on the first day, starting at 4pm when the UAE take on Lebanon, to be followed by Syria vs Qatar game at 5.30pm. Saudi Arabia meet Kuwait at 8.30pm.

The week-long event also acts as a qualifier for the AFC Futsal Championship finals, scheduled to be held next year in the UAE.

The Bahrain team had their first training session yesterday at Al Arabi Club's Gym under their coach Ihsan Al Abbasi.

Al Abbasi will have big hopes on several prominent players in tonight's game, including Al Sharqawi brothers Mohammed and Mahmood.

The Bahraini tactician is also banking on his skilful striker Thamer Shammous, besides Ayman Al Abbasi, Hussain Kazerooni, Bassil Sultan, Yasser Hassan and Mohammed Sultan.

The team also includes Mohammed Al Satrawi, Hamad Dassas, Jassim Saleh, Ali Saleh, Mohammed Radhi and Sayed Mohammed Hameed.

There are nine countries in this continental competition.

They were divided into two groups, with Group 'A' featuring five teams - hosts Kuwait, Qatar, Palestine, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

The top three teams from this zone will qualify for the 16-nation tournament proper along with three direct entrants - defending champions Iran, runners-up Uzbekistan, third-placed Japan - and hosts the UAE.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com