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BAHRAIN defeated hosts Oman 1-0 to launch their campaign in the third round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in style.
A 15th-minute goal from star striker Ala'a Hubail in Bosher gave coach Milan Macala's side a crucial Group 'B' victory, which put Bahrain in second place behind favourites Japan who scored an emphatic 4-1 home victory over Thailand in Saitama Stadium.
In their second match, scheduled for March 26, Bahrain will host Japan at the National Stadium in Riffa. Another win for the Bahrainis will be a major step towards reaching the fourth and final qualifying round in this four-team group.
Bahrain took the lead in the early stages when Ala'a Hubail, the 2004 Asian Cup top scorer, capitalised on the first opportunity that came their way in front of a full-house crowd of 40,000 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
The 26-year-old striker, who plays for Kuwait's Premier Division League leaders Kuwait Club, tapped the ball past England's Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi from close range after Abdulla Fatai's header came off the Oman goalkeeper.
Bahrain, who just missed out on qualifying for the 2006 finals in Germany, were kept under pressure towards the end of the first-half with efforts from Oman's midfielders Fawzi Basheer and Ahmed Mubarak.
However, the Bahrainis managed to soak up the pressure and kept their goal neat thanks to a solid defence and good goalkeeping by 23-year-old Sayed Mohammed Jaffer.
