Hi--it’s Peter Goldstein from Planet World Cup. I’m doing a preview of T&T-Bahrain for the website, but it’s pretty general, for general audiences. For you guys I thought I’d do a full scouting report on Bahrain, based on the tapes of two games: their 0:1 loss home to Japan, and their 0:1 loss at Iran. I didn’t see the games against Uzbekistan, which were played under a different coach. But he used the same players, and according to one account, the same tactical scheme. I can’t guarantee it, though, and of course they might always come up with new tactics for T&T.
(I apologize in advance for the long post, but I thought I’d get all the information in one spot.)
In the games I saw, Bahrain played a 3-5-2. They’re a fast team that relies primarily on the counterattack. They rarely press high up the field; they let you get into their own half, and then work to deny space and intercept passes. Their speed makes them dangerous on the counter; they have some good passers who release fast runners in attack. They’re not as strong if they have to build slowly. Â
Although the team is fast, they’re not particularly strong, and are vulnerable to physical play, particularly in midfield. T&T may have to get more physical than usual in order to win the 50-50 battles.
Bahrain’s back line are ordinary markers; they sometimes leave a little space in front of the line where attackers can find room to operate. How much space there is may depend on whether they decide to play #17, Hussein Ali Baba, in a picket role in front of the back 3 (see below). A logical tactic for T&T would be to get Latapy or Yorke in that space to send Stern John through, or drop John back at times to combine with the midfielders. The left side of Bahrain’s back 3 is weaker (again, see below), and this may provide opportunities for Carlos Edwards.
Most of Bahrain’s attacking strength is through the middle. The main playmaker, #10 Mohammed Salmeen, and the main attacking midfielder, #13 Talal Yusuf, operate best in the center of the pitch, although Yusuf occasionally drifts wide. They have a wide man, #29 Mohammed Hubail, but he doesn’t seem as effective. I haven’t seen #30, Alaa Hubail, their top striker.
They have two tall defenders, #3 Abdulla Marzooq and #16 Sayed Mohammed Adnan, who defend well in the air. At the other end of the field, they tend to keep the ball on the ground, which might cause problems for Marvin Andrews and Dennis Lawrence.
Despite the two tall defenders, Bahrain seemed a bit shaky at times defending set pieces. Iran’s goal came on a corner kick. I think T&T may have chances there. On Bahrain’s set pieces, Yusuf is very good at curling the ball into the area, but they probably don’t have the height to take advantage.
Because Bahrain defends so well, and will probably play for 0:0, I think T&T will have to go forward early and often, with Aurtis Whitley a full partner in the attack, and Silvio Spann (assuming he starts at right back) on the overlap. They’ll have to risk a bit, and hope the defense can deal with the counter. If T&T takes it too deliberate, a scoreless draw is very likely.
Now the individual profiles:
Keeper
#1, Hassan Ali. He had a good game against Japan, not so good against Iran. Against Japan he commanded his area very well, but against Iran he hung back on his line too much, particularly on set pieces. It might have been nerves, since he got stronger as the game went on. In both games he looked solid, but not exceptional, stopping shots. I think he’s a good keeper who may have had an off day against Iran.
Defenders
#3, Abdulla Marzooq. Plays on the right side of the 3-man line. Tall and mobile, very good technically. Can be spectacular at times, but on occasion can get caught out. Will join the attack every once in a while.
#16, Sayed Mohammed Adnan. Plays in the middle. Tall, smooth, intelligent sweeper-type. Reads the game well. Sort of the ice to Marzooq’s fire.
#12, Mohammed Basheer Juma. Plays on the left. The weakest of the three. In the games I saw, he tended to come out at the wrong time and leave gaps. He has good cover (see below, midfielders), but T&T may be able to take advantage by loading up on that side. Yorke, Whitley, and Spann should be ready to combine with Edwards.
Midfielders
#14, Salman Isa. Left wingback. Very fast, very quick feet, good tackler, more effective in defense than attack. Most vulnerable when you run right at him, and that might be Edwards’ best approach.
#7, Sayed Jalal. Left midfield. A lot like Isa, fast, an excellent tackler, basically a defender. Plays on the left, but can cover the whole field if necessary.
#10, Mohammed Salmeen. Central midfield. A deep-lying playmaker, smooth, a passer more than a dribbler. Effective at getting the ball out on the counter.
#17, Hussein Ali Baba. Right midfield or defensive midfield. A little larger and not quite as fast as Isa or Jalal. Reads the game very well. His natural position is in front of the back 3, but may also play on the right. A first-class long passer.
#13, Talal Yusuf. The danger man. Excellent attacking midfielder or withdrawn forward. Fast, very good dribbler, he can take apart defenses and either score himself or set up teammates. Willing to shoot from middle range as well.
Forwards
#29, Mohammed Hubail. Best as a right winger, but can play right wingback if Yusuf plays as a forward. Very fast, only fair technically, not a good defender. Didn’t do much in the games I saw, but has scored some goals in the qualifiers.
#9, Husain Ali. All-purpose striker, can dribble a bit, can play both centerforward and support man. Didn’t make much impact in the games I saw.
#30, Alaa Hubail. The star. He’s been out with injuries, so I didn’t see him play, and it’s not clear how fit he’ll be for the playoffs. But everyone agrees he’s the man, and when healthy he scores a lot of goals. According to descriptions, he’s small, fast, and hard-working.
Like I said, I didn’t see the Uzbekistan games, so the new coach may have altered the scheme a bit. But he used the same players, and I think we would have heard if he’d made drastic changes.
Hope this helps. Go Warriors!
