Bahrain national team

VIENNA: Bahraini League top scorer Jaycee John and key midfielder Hussain Baba are missing from the Gulf side’s two-week long European training camp which got underway here yesterday.

Bahraini media reported that John was told not to report to the camp while Baba is nursing an injury and currently in Germany for treatment, leaving Czech coach Milan Macala with a 23-man squad to prepare for the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying for which they have been drawn with Japan, Australia, Qatar and Uzbekistan.

A string of friendlies have been confirmed for Macala’s men with ties against Czech Gambrinus Liga club SK Sigma Olomouc (July 19), Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 (July 22) and English outfit Stoke City (July 25) coming up. A match against Turkish giants Besiktas is also being planned.

The players return to their respective clubs after the camp breaks up before they reassemble for training in August. A friendly against the UAE on August 29 is scheduled as part of their preparations during this period.

The Bahrainis open their campaign at home against Japan on September 6.