Manama: Bahrain’s chances to qualify for the next round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers ended yesterday after losing to North Korea 2-0 at the Kim II Sung stadium in Pyongyang.
Bahrain, who currently sit in fourth place in group ‘H’, faced group leaders North Korea in a bid to revive their chances but they failed.
The top teams in each of the eight groups will qualify for the third round and also gain direct entry to 2019 Asia Cup with the four best second-placed teams. The remaining three teams in the group will continue to battle for a place in the 2019 Asia Cup.
Bahrain’s loss was their fourth under Argentinian coach Sergio Batista who had taken charge of the national team in May. He has so far managed to score two wins in six games with the team.
Batista fielded Sayed Mohammed in goal with Waleed Al Hayam, Abdulla Shallal, Abdulla Hazaa and Mohammed Hassan in defence. Team captain Hussain Baba played in midfield along with Sayed Dhiya, Abdulla Yasser, Abdulwahab Ali and Sami Al Husaini, while Ismaeel Abdulatif played as the Kingdom’s lone striker.
North Korea’s national team coach, Kim Chang Bok, fielded Ri Myong Guk in goal, with Jang Kuk Chol, Ri Kum Chol, Ri Hyok Chol, Pak Kwang Ryong, Jong Il Gwan, Sim Hyon Jin, Ri Yong Chol, So Hyon Uk, Pak Myong Song, Ri Chol Myong as his outfield players.
North Korea took the lead in the first half when Pak Kwang Ryong scored from the penalty spot. In the dying minutes, Jong Gwan completed North Korea’s win with a second goal.
The match, which was played in the North Korean capital Pyongyang, was not broadcasted live as Bahrainis all over the world were unable to watch their team.
Meanwhile, Qatar became the first side to book a spot at the 2019 Asian Cup and the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, were 3-0 winners over Bhutan at Changlimithang Stadium in the Thimphu mountains and they secured top spot in Group C when Hong Kong and China then played out a 0-0 draw.
The draw left Hong Kong in position to grab second place in the group behind Qatar who have won all six matches.
The eight group winners and four best runners-up will qualify for the Asian Cup and the third round of World Cup qualifying in the continent and most of the fancied sides, bar China, look set to complete the straightforward task.
Cambodia were beaten 2-0 by Japan, who stayed clear in Group E.
Syria kept pace in second spot, one point back, after they struck in the 93rd minute to beat Singapore 2-1 at the citystate’s National Stadium.
Tuesday’s 14-match schedule in Asia was kicked off by Iran beating U.S. territory Guam 6-0 away despite four of their players and two members of staff being refused visas to enter the tiny island.
East Timor were also shorthanded, with seven nationalised Brazilians absent after complaints from rivals about their eligibility. They were trounced 10-0 by Saudi Arabia in Dili as the West Asians stayed top of Group A.
UAEt remained on their tails in second place after they beat Malaysia 2-1 in an empty stadium in Kuala Lumpur as the hosts served out a punishment for crowd trouble in their previous home defeat by the Saudis.
Elsewhere, Asian champions Australia put aside security concerns in Dhaka to beat Bangladesh 4-0 in Group B, while South Korea crushed Laos 5-0 in Vientiane to make it six wins from six in Group G.