Training and Recovery
Team Melli players carried out light practice this morning (Friday) without the fixed players of yesterdays’ match against Hong Kong.
The weather in Bahrain this morning was more bearable at the time of the practice session (Friday, June 5) from 10:00 AM local time. Dragan Skocic and the coaching focused on tactical tasks and light physical training.
The players who were involved in the game against Hong Kong, also carried out recovery training at the hotel where the team is staying, followed by massage sessions. This session was held for 90 minutes before taking a break. The 36% humidity in Manama in which the Team Melli practiced, is considered low as the humidity is normal ib the upper sixties, however, Bahrain has been experiencing a period of strong winds in the last few days which has affected and lowered the humidity significantly.
The 10 O’clock morning session selected by the coaching staff for training seems at odds with the timing of the matches, mostly at 17:30 local time and beyond.
Team Melli players were highly motivated and focused on getting ready for Bahrain. The goalkeepers trained separately under their coaches.
The players will not have training this evening instead of taking a rest. The Schedule for Saturday will be more of the same but involving the whole squad.
Venue Shift
There have been several changes of venues involving Team Melli games from Khalifa Sports City Stadium, also known as Isa Town Stadium, the oldest of the venues in Bahrain to Muharraq and National stadium.
The Isa Town Stadium now called Khalifa Sports City Stadium was opened in 1968 and renovated in 2007. Bahrain National Stadium the largest and main venue for international matches. That facility is the best equipped by far and the lawn is of an acceptable standard.
Team Melli will next meet host Bahrain in the National Stadium on 7th June. After Bahrain, Team Melli will play again in the same venue against Cambodia on Friday, 11th June. This match has been originally scheduled to be played in Khalifa Sports City and so was the last match against Iraq, however, both of Iran’s matches were shifted for what seems like technical reasons. The last match against Iraq will be played in Muharraq, the same venue as the first match against Hong Kong
Bahrain’s concern.
While the match against Cambodia was won quite comfortably against Cambodia 8-0 and the Bahrain players were an arm and a leg much better than their East Asian opponents, there was still mention of Iran’s match by the pundits and commentators.
The crust of the matter is that there is some fear and apprehension about meeting Iran on Monday with the commentators warning the Bahrain team about any complacency playing a team full of stars.
The Portuguese coach of the Bahrain National Team gave some of his defenders a rest day against Cambodia. Although Bahrain did not concede, surprisingly the Cambodians made quite a few attacks and managed to threaten the host. They were unlucky not to score, while some of the goals exceeded were truly due to amateurish defending of the Cambodians.
A campaign of support has been set up by the sports authorities in Bahrain to back the national team in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. The effectiveness of such a campaign where no fans are allowed in and matches are held behind closed doors is questionable. Nevertheless, on line campaign and social media is being hyped up for the next three matches.