Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Bahrain coach Peter Taylor believes his team’s golden endeavours in the GCC Games will help his players bounce back from their World Cup disaster against arch-rivals Iran.
The nationals won the Bahrain 11 football final against Saudi Arabia 3-1 just weeks after being walloped 6-0 by their other mighty neighbours in a vital qualifier towards securing a coveted place in the 2014 finals in Brazil.
Taylor’s tigers were mauled after having a defender sent off in the opening minute of the game but now have the chance to make amends in the return fixture at the National Stadium in Riffa next month.
The coach said: “We had a very disappointing result against Iran which had affected the players’ confidence. We were extremely positive going into the game but after our man was sent off within seconds it really deflated the players’ spirits, which in turn lifted the opposition.
“We have not staged as many matches as we would have liked so the GCC Games could not have come at a better time.”
Bahrain’s hotshot forward Ismael Abdullatif notched a brace of goals in the gold medal-winning contest in a tournament which also resulted in confidence-boosting victories over Oman, Qatar and the UAE.
That winning formula could provide just the tonic the players needed after the sickening experience they suffered at Iran’s Azadi Stadium.
Taylor explained: “This tournament win, without a doubt, has boosted team morale and confidence after such a miserable defeat.
“I think we have played some great football in the last few days and while we did not have all our players available for the competition, it at least gave our squad more opportunities to develop their physical side and improve on their fitness levels.”
Taylor also made an impassioned plea for Bahrain football fans to unite and back his side for the crucial return tie on November 11. He said: “We are really sorry about the result in Iran and trust me when I say our team has been hurting badly. However, we are determined to put it right so I urge all Bahrain fans, local and expat, to come out and support the team in force.”
