The Bahrainis have set up camp at Ballarat’s Morshead Park as part of their preparations for this month’s Asian Cup, in which their first game is against Iran at AAMI Park on Sunday.

The camp, and Sunday night’s game, came on the back of the $8.6m million development of the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, which will leave a lasting footprint for the game in the town.

Bahrain Football Association vice president Ali Ahmed Al Buainain said his team had been made to feel at home.

“It’s a very nice place, very nice people,” Al Buainain said.

“The preparation here for Asian Cup is very obvious and we thank everybody.

“The willingness of people to help the teams, the stadiums and fields for training, transportation, (they all) reflect to all the other Asian Cup nations how important this Asian Cup is here.”

Originally published as Bahrain making big impression in Ballarat