After reaching their second straight Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final, Bahrain coach Helio Sousa felt his side deserved the last-four spot in the 24th edition of the tournament.
Bahrain, who are looking for their first Gulf Cup title, entered the semi-finals defeating Kuwait 4-2 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday, and will take on Iraq for a spot in the finals tomorrow. Ten-man Iraq played out a goalless draw with Yemen.
“We have played a very good game against Kuwait. I think the result is the reflection of our hard work we have done in the past months. In my opinion we are a deserving semi-finalists,” Sousa said.
“The changes that I made in the three games have contributed to our march in the tournament. We were not waiting for the mistakes of the opponent. We executed our game plan well and reached the last-four stage of the tournament.”
Talking about their semi-final opponent Iraq, he said, they are the best in Asia.
“They are one of the best teams in Asia. We will play the fourth game against them in just three months. I am very happy to play against them again,” Sousa said.
Bahrain drew with Iraq in the both their recent World Cup qualifiers while they registered a 1-0 victory in the WAFF Championship held in Karbala in August.
Former champions Iraq, the first to secure semi-final spot, are also confident of a good show against Bahrain.
“The match (against Yemen) was not easy. It was an important game for us, I am happy with the outcome of the match. We were challenged by the Yemeni players who did well. We have qualified without a defeat,” said Iraq coach Srecko Katanec.
Katanec’s side shocked hosts Qatar in their first match and in the second defeated two-time champions UAE 2-0 to claim their second successive victory in the event.
Defending champions Oman lost out on a spot in the semi-finals on goal difference after losing to Saudi Arabia (1-3).
Understandably, Oman coach Erwin Koeman regretted the loss.
“It is difficult to lose in a decisive game and leave the tournament,” he said.
“We have to evaluate ourselves. We have good players, and we must develop them, especially after we saw Saudi Arabia and its high level of speed at the first touch.”
“I will go back to explain to the Omani federation the weaknesses and the objectives that must be achieved. I will not stand idly about this situation. The federation must do what it has to do, and as a technical body, we have to play our roles. This team must evolve if we are to fight big teams, like the Saudi,” the Dutchman said.
Oman lost the match against Saudi Arabia to finish third in the group. Saudi Arabia topped the table with six points, followed by Bahrain, who qualified for the knockouts on better goal difference, having secured four points just like Oman.