Al Ajmi’s double sinks Singapore

Feb 02, 2013 (Menafn – Gulf Daily News – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) –BAHRAIN came away with a resounding 3-1 victory over Singapore last night in an international friendly match at the National Stadium in Riffa.

Mahmood Al Ajmi scored a brace to lead the victors in the tune-up, which was part of both teams’ preparations for their upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on Wednesday. The Bahrainis take on Yemen in Dubai, while the Singaporeans face off with Jordan in Amman.

Al Ajmi scored on either side of half-time yesterday while Mohammed Duaij contributed the hosts’ other goal.

Safuwan Baharudin claimed the lone consolation for the visitors.

Bahrain’s Argentinean tactician Gabriel Calderon started a mixed squad of national team regulars and aspiring young stars in the exhibition. Some of the new faces included Al Ajmi, Mohammed Duaij, Abdulla Mubarak, Isa Ghalib, Adbulla Yusuf and Mahmood Al Ojaimi at goal. They were joined by Hussain Baba, Faouzi Aaish, Sami Al Hossaini, Sayed Dhiya Saeed and Abdulwajab Al Malood.

Al Ajmi got the home team onto the score sheet with his first goal in the 20th minute of play. The talented midfielder received a pass from Al Hossaini on the right of goal, and fired home for the 1-0 lead.

His strike was enough for the Bahrainis to enjoy a slim advantage at the break.

Eleven minutes after the re-start, Al Ajmi doubled his account, scoring once again off a shot that rebounded off the crossbar.

Singapore battled valiantly in the match and their efforts helped them find the net in the 71st minute, when Baharudin fired a rocket of a shot from just outside the penalty box.

Duaij then headed home Bahrain’s third. He latched onto a long cross from a corner and made no mistake with his attempt at goal.

Just a minute prior to Duaij’s strike, the Singaporeans were reduced to 10 men after Shahril Ishak was given his marching orders.

Calderon made only a couple of substitutions in the friendly match, giving star players Ismaeel Abdullatif and Abdulla Ismail Omar some run before the final whistle.

Bahrain followed yesterday’s friendly with an informal scrimmage at the same venue between some of the team’s players who did not get to take the pitch against Singapore and a selection of national team hopefuls chosen by Calderon.

Bahrain’s final team that will be travelling to Dubai for the match with Yemen is expected to be named over the next couple of days prior to their departure for Dubai on Monday.

Bahrain and Yemen are in group ‘D’ of the qualifying competition for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia. Singapore and Jordan are in group ‘A’ with Syria and Oman.

There are five groups in all. Only the top two teams from each group, plus the best third-placed squad, will move on to the tournament finals.

Group ‘B’ comprises Iran, Kuwait, Thailand and Lebanon; Group ‘C’ pits Iraq, China, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia against one another; and Group ‘E’ includes Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and the UAE.

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