Bahrain gear up for Philippines clash

Bahrain national team yesterday concluded its training ahead of tomorrow's match against the Philippines in Manila.

The match will kick off the first round of Asian qualifiers for both Fifa World Cup 2018 and Asian Cup 2019.

The team only attended an afternoon training session yesterday as the coaching team preferred to give the players enough rest prior to tomorrow's crucial encounter.

Yesterday's training session, which were held at the University of Ateneo De Manila stadium, started with simple warm-up exercises and muscle stretches. The players later practised passing and receiving the ball. Coach Sergio Batista then split the players into two groups '“ offensive and defensive.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Football Association President Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, who is heading the national team delegation, promised to provide the players with adequate facilities to help them emerge victorious against the Philippines and earn the three points needed in their group which also includes, Uzbekistan, North Korea and Yemen.

Coach Batista will address a pre-match press conference today in the conference room of Shangri-La Manila Hotel, where the team is staying.

The press conference will be followed by the coordinators' meeting at which the players' eligibility will be endorsed and the official colours of the teams will be revealed.

Source : Gulf Daily News