Bahrain hold Ukraine in Kharkiv 1-1

Kharkiv, Ukraine, May 24 (BNA): Bahrain and Ukraine drew 1-1 in a well-disputed friendly in Kharkiv. The match was in preparation for the remaining joint-qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 for Bahrain and for the European Championship in June for Ukraine. Bahrain went ahead in the 75th minute thanks to a penalty conceded by Ukrainian goalkeeper Trubin after colliding with Humaidan in the area. Bahrain substitute Dhiya scored from the spot with a Panenka-style effort. Although Ukraine did their best to avoid defeat in the first of their three pre-EURO friendlies, Bahrain defended in a very solid manner and counterattacked vigorously. In a one-on-one situation in the 90th minute, Dhiya fired just beyond the post. The next minute, Dovbyk collected the ball from a throw-in, crossed in and Tsygankov put the ball into the net from close range. In post-match comments to the Ukrainian Football Association, Bahrain's coach Eliu Souza said that he was pleased with the performance and that the result could have been much better for the Bahraini team. "It could have been 2-0, because we had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. I believe that Ukraine did not have such chances as we did. I'm happy, we played very tightly, controlling the ball against a fantastic team," he said. "Our opponent is a great team, whose players play in the Champions League, plus the Ukrainian championship is much stronger than the Bahrain's. But we prepared well for this match and showed our game. Therefore, I am very pleased with the result, which should inspire us to further success." Ukraine analysts said "Bahrain played a very solid game in defence and managed to be clinical at the other end. It could even have finished worse for Ukraine as Bahrain had a great opportunity to add a second." The national squad will take on Malaysia on May 28 ahead of the final round to be hosted by Bahrain on June 3-15. Bahrain will go against Cambodia on June 3, Iran on June 7 and Hong Kong on June 15. Bahrain is currently second in their group with nine points, having won two matches and drawn thrice. Iraq is the leaders with 11 points after winning three games and drawing two other times. Iran is third with six points but has played just three matches so far and have two wins and two losses. Hong Kong and Cambodia complete the Group C table with five points and one point, respectively.