Analysis: Abdullatif delivers timely win for Bahrain's Al Muharraq

While it was Doris Fuakuputu (pictured left) who scored the only goal of the game as Al Muharraq defeated Saham of Oman, it was the performance of Abdullatif (pictured right) that ensured the home side’s dominance at Bahrain National Stadium.

Al Muharraq now sit at the summit of Group C, one point ahead of Jordan’s Al Wehdat with just one game remaining, and it was an attacking display from Robert Jaspert’s team – and Abdullatif in particular – that ensures they are favourites to advance to the next phase of the competition.

Abdullatif’s Flexibility Pays Dividends

Abdullatif started the game on the left of Al Muharraq’a attacking trident, but the pattern of his performance became clear not long after kick off when he switched with Gregory Nelson to the right side of Fuakumputu, leaving the Saham defence perplexed.

It was Abdullatif’s direct running that caused the greatest damage, however, the 30-year-old charging down the left to send in the low cross from which Fuakumputu scored the game’s only goal in the 37th minute.

But otherwise he was busy throughout his 68 minutes on the field, regularly alternating wings to keep the visiting defence guessing.

Al Muharraq’s Dual Pronged Approach

Abdullatif was not Al Muharraq’s only attacking threat, and it was his partnership with Nelson on the other flank that caused so many problems for Saham.

Indeed, it was Nelson who was the busier of the two as he made more attempts to cross the ball than Abdullatif – six to Abdullatif’s two – with five of those unsuccessful.

But it was Abdullatif who made the difference, setting up the only goal of the game before being substituted in the 68th minute as he provided the game’s only assist with both players also managing a shot on target each.

Abdo's superiority in midfield

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While it was Doris Fuakuputu (pictured left)\u00a0who scored the only goal of the game as Al Muharraq defeated Saham of Oman, it was the performance of Abdullatif (pictured right)\u00a0that ensured the home side\u2019s dominance at Bahrain National Stadium.

Al Muharraq now sit at the summit of Group C, one point ahead of Jordan\u2019s Al Wehdat with just one game remaining, and it was an attacking display from Robert Jaspert\u2019s team \u2013 and Abdullatif in particular \u2013 that ensures they are favourites to advance to the next phase of the competition.

Abdullatif\u2019s Flexibility Pays Dividends

\n\n

Abdullatif started the game on the left of Al Muharraq\u2019a attacking trident, but the pattern of his performance became clear not long after kick off when he switched with Gregory Nelson to the right side of Fuakumputu, leaving the Saham defence perplexed.

It was Abdullatif\u2019s direct running that caused the greatest damage, however, the 30-year-old charging down the left to send in the low cross from which Fuakumputu scored the game\u2019s only goal in the 37th minute.

But otherwise he was busy throughout his 68 minutes on the field, regularly alternating wings to keep the visiting defence guessing.

Al Muharraq\u2019s Dual Pronged Approach

\n\n

Abdullatif was not Al Muharraq\u2019s only attacking threat, and it was his partnership with Nelson on the other flank that caused so many problems for Saham.

Indeed, it was Nelson who was the busier of the two as he made more attempts to cross the ball than Abdullatif \u2013 six to Abdullatif\u2019s two \u2013 with five of those unsuccessful.

But it was Abdullatif who made the difference, setting up the only goal of the game before being substituted in the 68th minute as he provided the game\u2019s only assist with both players also managing a shot on target each.

Abdo's superiority in midfield

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