Eid sees the positives for Bahrain

AFC Asian Cup – MELBOURNE, Coach Marjan Eid remained positive after seeing two mistakes cost Bahrain in Sunday’s opening AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 defeat by three-time winners Iran.

Bahrain were the quicker out of the blocks on a blustery evening at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium with strikers Ismail Abdullatif and Jaycee John going close inside the opening 10 minutes of the Group C contest.

But after Ehsan Hajsafi converted in first half stoppage time, Masoud Shojaei added a second inside the final 20 minute to deny 2004 semi-finalists Bahrain, who have suffered back-to-back group stage exits at the previous two editions of the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 and 2011.

“We started the first game well. We were focused, but the experience was important in this game and Iran have a lot of experienced and professional players and that is what changed this match,” said former assistant Eid, who took over as Bahrain coach during November’s Gulf Cup.

“We did good things and maybe my players made some mistakes and Iran scored two goals from those mistakes.”

Following their encouraging start, Bahrain slowly found themselves forced onto the back foot by Asia’s number one ranked side, although Iran were only safe when Shojaei added a scuffed second with 19 minutes remaining.

“Iran are a strong team, but thanks to the players, we lost three points, but the players did a good job and we still have a chance in the second and third matches,” added Eid.

Bahrain next face the United Arab Emirates, who earlier beat Gulf Cup champions Qatar 4-1, in Canberra on Thursday.

“We lost three points, but we have a chance in the next match against the UAE,” said Eid.

“We will try to change the image of the team and it is possible to take three points to have a good chance against Qatar.”