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Despite the kingdom's 2010 World Cup misery, the Bahrain national team aims to score big in the upcoming qualifier for the 2011 Asian Cup, writes MAI AL KHATIB.
Bahrain is set to face Hong Kong in a Group A clash, at the National Stadium in Riffa on January 6 starting at 6pm.
A victory will secure the hosts a spot in the 2011 Asian Cup finals to be held in Doha. Hong Kong is already out of the running for the top two positions, leaving Japan, Yemen and Bahrain to battle it out.
The kingdom is presently in second place behind former champions Japan with nine points. However, victory in this game against Hong Kong should put them on top.
Younes Manssor, Bahrain Football Association media representative, told GulfWeekly that their goal is to ensure a win.
He said: "We will have the services most of our team members for the January 6 clash, except for a few of our professional players.
"Defender Sayed Mohamed Adnan for example will be there but we are still waiting for a confirmation from Jaycee John who is no longer a part of the Belgium club team and currently is in Bahrain along with Mohammed Hussain of Qatar Club.
"Abdulla Omar and Abdulla Fatayeh will not be joining the team as their clubs have not given them approval for leave, while Hussain Baba will be there as well as Mohammed Hubail.
"The Hong Kong team will arrive on January 2, while our training will begin on January 3 for the big match. Our aim is to make it to the finals by defeating Hong Kong. We need to move forward."
Striker Ala'a Hubail, who is still injured and will not be able to play, said: "Although we only need one point to make it, a bigger win is always better. I wish my team all the best as I will be on the sidelines cheering my brother Mohammed and the rest of the squad."
