Asia: Bahrain leave it late to secure first Arab Games title (video)
Bahrain have won the Gold Medal at the 2011 Pan Arab Games football tournament in Qatar.
Bahrain had qualified for the final by virtue of topping their group in the first stage, defeating Iraq and gaining a much needed point against Qatar, before eliminating Palestine in the semi-final ahead of yesterday’s final match. Jordan were Bahrain’s opponents in the final and they had qualified by finishing top of their group with five points from three games, defeating Palestine 4-1 in their opening group match before two goalless draws against Sudan and Libya followed. Jordan needed extra-time to get past Kuwait in the semi-finals and thus set up the game against Bahrain.
The game looked to be heading for extra-time but was decided as late as the 89th minute with Ismail Abdul Latif taking advantage of a defensive lapse in the game’s dying moments. The win sealed Bahrain’s first ever triumph in the Pan Arab Games football tournament.
“..gaining back-to-back wins over host nation Qatar and Iraq,” Bahrain did not defeat Qatar; the Bahrainis came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw in that match. Anyway, I hope earning their 1st title in a competition will give Bahrain national team the confidence they need to get better and better! Congrats Bahrain, you deserve it!
Thanks for pointing out the oversight. I’ve corrected that part of the piece.