Hi to all T&Tians and Bahrainis in this forum...
Id like to give some of my views on the advantages both teams have gained from the concluding match on Saturday. Id like to giv my oppinion and discuss which team has come out with the overall BIGGER advantage after yesterdays game for winning the play -off in Manama on Wednesday.
(in no particular order)
BAHRAIN ADVANTAGES1- AWAY GOAL - Bahrains success in Scoring the away goal means only a goaless draw would be needed to win the play-offs on Wednesday. Thus making Bahrain's task more within reach and "easier" to achive than T&T. Expect Bahrain put EVEN MORE focus and energy in their defence as they can now better afford to sacrifice some focus on further areas of the pitch, whilst T&T have to worry, focus and balance their efforts across a much wider area.
2- HOME ADVANTAGE - Now the obvious "12th man" support advantage Bahrain may enjoy on Wednesday can no doubt increase the players determination and confidence. And with a possible historic achievement closer than ever, this factor is bound to be even more significant. However this could also be viewed as an increase in both expectations and pressure. Now would you consider this good or bad? I will elaborate further on this "home disadvantage" further down.
T&T ADVANTAGES1- HISTORY - Bahrain's overall home game history is not what I would call spectacular. Bahrain's away record has been much better then their home record. Infact even a neutral perspective would consider it to be somewhat disastorous. More recent games still clearly reflect that. During the final stages of the Asian zone WCQ we have failed to win a single game at home. Further more we only managed to score 2 home goals in a match we lost at 3-2 to a bottom placed North Korean team. The Asian play off against Uzbekistan was only won by a 0-0 draw at home.
2- UNDER PRESSURE? - ONE GOAL is all it may take and your opponent may not even be pushing for it. A T&T full team will be expected to attack like crazy, they are required to do what they are best at and they have 90+ mins to do so. And after the suspension of two KEY Bahraini players, this task may not be as hard as it may have been. Especially as BOTH T&T and Bahrain have to face an equally long journey to Manama. Further more, the away conditions should cause no concern to T&T as the time of year is quite pleasent in Bahrain. The pressure however cannot be denied. But is this really a bad thing? Ive read your team plays even better under pressure.
3- SUSPENDED BAH. PLAYERS - The suspension of Marzouqi (No.3) and Salmeen (No.10) on saturday is a major blow to the strengths of Bahraini team. Marzouqi's key defensive role will be hard to match up to. However Salmeens absence on wednesday is almost irreplacable. He is the Bahraini equivalent of Latapy, and this is sure to have critical effects on Bahrain's midfield and composure.
I hope I have given you a clear analysis of this situation. I believe this is a realistic view of how T&T may still be the favourites to win the play-offs despite the general percieved advantage Bahrain now seem to have. I hope the two teams put up an exciting match for us on Wednesday and may the best team win:)
GO BAHRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
