Bahrain coach Milan Macala (right) was pleased with the way his side responded to being reduced to ten men in their 1-1 draw with Qatar. (AFP)

VIENNA: Milan Macala’s Bahrain did not have the best of starts to their friendly series in Europe after losing to Czech club side SK Sigma Olomouc 3-2 on Saturday.

The Gulf side, who are preparing for the final round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, had victory within their grasp when a last-gasp goal from defender Darko Suskavcevic consigned them to defeat.

Earlier, Mahmoud Jalal fired Bahrain into the lead on 10 minutes but the scores were level in the 18th minute when Martin Dolezal scored for Olomouc. Playmaker Mahmood Abdulrahman restored the one-goal advantage five minutes later but the Bahraini defenders were found lacking when Martin Pulkert bulged the net in the 46th minute to leave the scores tied 2-2.

Olomouc then launched an all-out assault which paid off when Suskavcevic netted the winner towards the end.

Macala’s men will be aiming to bounce back from this disappointment when they meet Bundesliga outfit FC Shalke 04 on Tuesday. Also scheduled for the Bahrainis are matches against Stoke City (Friday) and their final tune-up against Serbian side Red Star Belgrade (instead of Turkish giants Besiktas) on July 29.