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Bahrain are preparing to throw everything at the Socceroos in Wednesday’s (Thursday AEDT) qualifier, knowing that even a draw could kill off their hopes of a maiden World Cup finals berth.
The Persian Gulf island nation has performed respectably in its opening two matches of the final qualification stage, losing 3-2 to Japan and drawing 1-all with Qatar but sits fourth in the five-team group with just a single point.
With only the top two teams in each group guaranteed qualification for South Africa 2010 and only five matches remaining, coach Milan Micala knows they need instant results.
“We cannot lose and we know how important this game is,” the Czech manager told AAP.
“For both sides it’s a very important game.
“For Australia of course another three points will give them nine points which is a very nice beginning.
“But for us, I cannot say the last shout, but if we lose it will make our situation very difficult.”
Bahrain head into the Bahrain National Stadium match without four key players – key midfielder Mohammed Salmeen, Abdulla Omar, Mahmood Jalal and defender Abdulla Al Marzooqi – because of suspension and have also had a chequered preparation with players arriving in late from club commitments.
They were hammered 4-0 in a recent friendly with neighbouring Saudi Arabia but Micala said his players would be better for the experience despite admitting there was no comparing the talent in his squad with the Socceroos’.
“I know that we cannot compare the level of the players but I think the Bahrain players, they have the correct plays and many, many times we try and for example against Japan, we get a very good result,” Micala said.
“The game against Saudi Arabia we lost 4-0 but it is not important for me, the important thing for me is it’s one game more experience.
“We will keep our preparations simple and Australia is strong team we have to respect, but we will try.”
Bahrain’s desperate position means Micala could opt for a bold attacking formation but the former Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait boss was keeping his cards close to his chest.
The biggest attacking threat is likely to be posed by Nigeria-born striker Jaycee John, who plays in Belgium and has scored eight goals in 15 matches for the national side.
Bahrain’s all-time leading scorer Ala’a Hubail is also pushing for a recall after he was left on the bench against Oman.
Possible Bahrain team:
Sayed Mohammed Jaafar, (gk), Mohamed Husain, Salman Isa, Hussain Ali Baba, Sayed Mohamed Adnan, Aaish, Mahmood Abdulrahman, Abdulla Baba Fatadi, Abdulla Al Dakheel, Jaycee John, Aala Hubail.
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