Walid Al Khayyam of Bahrain during the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup Group A match against Qatar at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on November 30, 2021. /CFP
Walid Al Khayyam of Bahrain during the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup Group A match against Qatar at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on November 30, 2021. /CFP
Bahrain defender Waleed Al Khayyam’s first taste of football at the highest level was in Qatar in 2011 when he was called up to the national team for the AFC Asian Cup. After 13 years, the experienced defender returned to Qatar for his fourth consecutive Asian Cup campaign. The 32-year-old, who has made 104 international appearances and boasts a number of accolades including the 2019 Gulf Cup with Bahrain and the 2021 AFC Cup with his club Al Muharraq, is helping coach Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side achieve their goals. This will be the key. Take it to the group stage.
Al Khayyam, who sit in a difficult group alongside South Korea, Malaysia and Jordan, will know it will not be an easy proposition. Speaking to CGTN ahead of the tournament, Al Khayyam said that the team’s first and most important goal heading into the tournament is to secure a place in the last 16. “The first goal we are focused on achieving now is to get one of the spots” for the next round of the tournament and then we will think about (other things). said Al Khayyam in the exchange.
South Korea will theoretically be the toughest opponent in the group stage, but Al Khayyam stressed that Malaysia and Jordan will not be overwhelmed.
Bahrain’s Waleed Al Khayyam (right) faces UAE’s Ali Mabkhout during the AFC Asian Cup Group A match at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on January 5, 2019. and compete for the ball. /CFP
Bahrain’s Waleed Al Khayyam (right) faces UAE’s Ali Mabkhout during the AFC Asian Cup Group A match at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on January 5, 2019. and compete for the ball. /CFP
“There are no easy matches in a tournament like this. We start with our strongest competitors, South Korea, with strong elements, skilled coaches and players, and great international experience,” Al Khayyam said. He reflected, “We played against them in the round of 16 in the last tournament (2019) and showed a great performance, but unfortunately we lost 2-1 in extra time.”
“We also played against Malaysia in the qualifiers for this tournament. They were a tough and well-organized opponent, and it was a strong match that ended in a 2-1 victory for us,” said Al Khayyam.
“We have met the Jordanian national team several times over the past few years and we know each other well, so we are aware that the challenge in this tournament will be big, but we hope to win and move on to the next round. I will work hard to move forward.” .
It was in 2004 that Bahrain defeated other leading teams to reach the semi-finals of the Asia Cup. The team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Cup in both 2006 and 2010, losing in close intercontinental playoffs both times.
Bahrain players line up for a team photo ahead of the 25th Gulf Nations Cup match against the UAE at Basra International Stadium in Basra, Iraq, on January 7, 2023. /CFP
Bahrain players line up for a team photo ahead of the 25th Gulf Nations Cup match against the UAE at Basra International Stadium in Basra, Iraq, on January 7, 2023. /CFP
As Bahrain look to rediscover their glory days, Al Khayyam is confident that the current players will be of great help to the team in the coming years. “Our team currently has many distinguishing elements between experienced players who have been in the team for many years and young players who have imposed themselves within the group,” he said. .
“The current squad will serve us well this season and will prepare our young players to gain more experience and develop to become pillars of this team in the coming years.” added.
In 2026, the number of participating teams in the World Cup will be expanded to 48 teams, and the number of spots available to Asian teams will also increase from 4+1 (4 direct spots and 1 indirect spot via intercontinental play-off) to 8+1. Mr. Al Khayyam thinks so. It’s an added motivation for all teams.
He said: “With more World Cup spots, all teams will have more motivation in the current qualification period. We are all currently working towards qualifying for the World Cup.” said.
“For us, this is also our main goal at this stage, a Bahrain dream that we have been aiming to achieve for many years. We also know that the path will not be easy and that further efforts will be required. “I will make sacrifices and work hard to advance further in the qualifying race.I will do my best to get closer to this dream,” he said with emphasis.