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Bahrain's new national football team coach Josef Hickersberger will gather the squad for an intensive 14-day training camp in Europe to ensure they have dispelled their World Cup blues and are ready for the challenges ahead.
The new goal for soccer success has been set for the coming GCC Cup contest and finals of the Asian Cup.
It's been agony for the players to watch the World Cup games in South Africa after they were narrowly edged out of the finals by a single goal in New Zealand in the final play-off encounter in which they missed a penalty. Had they scored from the spot, or netted one of half a dozen clear chances in the home leg, they would have booked their place. Instead the Kiwis took the flight and have become sporting heroes by holding current champions Italy to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Speaking for the first time since it was announced in May that he would replace Milan Macala, Hickersberger said the squad would be flying out to his home country Austria on July 8 so that he can make a full assessment of their qualities and desire for success.
He said: "I will come to Bahrain for a few days and then we will fly out to Austria for the camp. Firstly, we will evaluate the players' conditions through a series of tests along with some physical preparation and technical training.
It's difficult to judge the team at an early stage. You have to get the knowledge of the team, how they work together and their characters. It's like a puzzle and once all the pieces fit together it puts forth a really great picture.
"I have high hopes for Bahrain otherwise I would not have signed the contract for the next two years. I know the people in charge. I hope I can fulfil their expectations and prepare the team for what is to come.
"We have two competitions in the coming season. We are competing in Yemen for the Gulf Cup in November and then we have the Asian Cup in Doha in January.
"I would like to thank the fans in Bahrain for all their support, especially for the team. Remember, in good times it's easier to cheer than during difficult times.
"But the support will be helpful nonetheless because we need them in the future to achieve our goals."
The 62-year-old former Rapid Wien and Austria coach, who has managed a number of Asian clubs in recent years including Al Ittihad of Qatar and Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates, guided Abu Dhabi's Al Wahda Club to the UAE League title last season and now succeeds Macala as the nation's new head coach.
An official statement released by the Bahrain Football Association stated that they were very happy with the services given by Macala, but his failure to guide the team into the World Cup Finals forced the officials to think of a replacement.
Hickersberger coached the Bahrain national team in 1996 when the side also failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1998 and jumped at the chance to renew his acquaintance with the kingdom and resolve some 'unfinished business'.
The Austrian will officially take charge on July 1. It is understood that he was among a shortlist of three top European managers being considered for the post.
Coach Hickersberger said: "The Bahrain national team has done very well in the past few years with Macala and this is the basis I can build on. But, of course, I would like to improve the team and Bahrain's football play. That's what I will be working on.
"For sure, the team has improved immensely since my last time with them otherwise they wouldn't have come so close to qualifying for the World Cup Finals this year but still there is room for improvement. I have only seen them play on television so the next step will be to get a closer view of the players."
The new head coach's major challenge will be to guide the side through the group stage of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup tournament in Qatar. Bahrain face regional soccer powerhouses South Korea and tournament favourites Australia, as well as footballing minnows India.
The 20th edition of the Gulf Cup football championship will be played in the Yemeni cities of Eden and Abyan on November 22 through to December 4. Hickersberger is backing Brazil to win this year's World Cup final in a thrilling encounter against Spain.
