Asian Cup 2015: Bahrain hammer Saudi Arabia in impressive warm up for tournament

A BRACE from star striker Ismaeel Abdullatif powered Bahrain to an impressive 4-1 win over Saudi Arabia in a pre-Asian Cup friendly.

Asian Cup warm up match Saudi Arabia v Bahrain. Simonds Stadium, Geelong. 7pm. 2 Bahrain: Mohamed Hussain Mohamed 3 Saudi: Osama Hawsawi Picture: Mitch Bear

A BRACE from star striker Ismaeel Abdullatif powered Bahrain to an impressive 4-1 win over Saudi Arabia in a pre-Asian Cup friendly at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium on Tuesday night.

The win is a huge confidence boost for the Bahrainis ahead of their daunting opening Asian Cup assignment against the region’s No.1 ranked side, Iran, at AAMI Park next Sunday.

But for Saudi Arabia the result, despite fielding a second-string line up, pours more pressure on to a side already under siege.

Bahrain’s Jaycee John Okwunwanne gets the better of Motaz Hawsawi.

The Saudis sacked their coach, Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, after losing the Gulf Nations Cup final to Qatar in Saudi Arabia last month.

Romanian Cosmin Olaroui was appointed on an interim basis - and this game was his first in charge - but there appears plenty of work to do if the Saudis are to get out of a tough group containing Uzbekistan, China and North Korea.

Fouzi Aaish opened the scoring for Bahrain from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after Abdullatif was clattered in to by acting Saudi captain Hassan Fallatah.

It was 2-0 six minutes later after Sami Al Hussaini’s powerful right-footed shot found the net after some neat build-up work.

Saudi star Naif Hazazi was one of only three players who started that played in the Gulf Nations Cup final and he pegged back a goal from close range two minutes after half-time.

But Abdullatif then capped off a brilliant performance with goals in the 58th minute - again from the penalty spot - and with a header in 80th minute.

Bahrain looked impressive in their warm-up win.

The 28-year-old appears to be one to watch in the coming month.

Despite being a friendly, there was plenty of feeling in the match and a heated push and shove developed shortly after Saudi Arabia’s goal.

This was the first of 14 friendlies across the country ahead of Friday’s Asian Cup kickoff.

Bahrain will be in action again against Jordan in Ballarat on Sunday night.

Jordan played the United Arab Emirates on the Gold Coast but lost 1-0.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Bahrain hammer Saudi Arabia in impressive warm up for tournament