BAHRAIN’s national soccer team left on Sunday for Singapore to prepare for their next 2010 World Cup qualifier against Thailand on Monday in Bangkok.

The team, coached by 63-year-old Milan Macala of the Czech Republic, had a training session on Saturday at the Bahrain Football Association grounds which was witnessed by BFA president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

Meanwhile, General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa honoured members of the team during a ceremony at his majlis in Riffa.

At the function, Shaikh Fawaz also presented cash awards to the players for winning their second match in the qualifiers against Japan which took place at the National Stadium two months ago.

Bahrain are Group ‘A’ leaders with six points after victories over Oman and Japan who both share second place with three points each while Thailand are at the bottom of the table with no points after consecutive defeats to Japan and Oman.

A win for Bahrain in Bangkok will boost their chances of reaching the third and final qualifying stage which will see the best 10 teams divided into two groups.