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| 2010 FIFA World Cup |
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| Battling Bahrain delights Macala |
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| Bahrain national team (AFP) |
DOHA – Bahrain coach Milan Macala was pleased with the resilience shown by his players as they overcame the first-half dismissal of Abdulla Marzooq to hold Qatar to a 1-1 draw at Al Sadd Stadium.
Sebastian Soria put Qatar ahead after only five minutes but despite playing for more than half the match with only ten men following Marzooq’s 36th minute dismissal, the visitors grabbed a point when Abdulla Fatadi levelled midway through the second half.
"We prepared well for this game and despite playing with ten men, I think we did really well,” said the burly Czech.
“After the first half, what we needed was a goal and I am glad that we managed that.”
Macala was particularly pleased with goalkeeper Seyed Mohammed Jaafar, who kept his side in the match by stopping a penalty by Soria in the first half.
“I think I owe a thank you note to our goalkeeper who saved a penalty for us and kept us in the match.
“I think Qatar put us under tremendous pressure in the first half. They showed their good experience and put us under pressure but we responded really well.
“So, you can say I am satisfied with our performance today. What really pleased me was the spirit my players showed on the pitch.
“It was not an easy match. I think we scored a very, very important goal as far as our (World Cup qualifying) campaign is concerned. Thank God for that"
Qatar coach Jorge Fossati was disappointed not to see his side press home their advantage against ten players.
"This is the time for us to evaluate what went wrong for us,” the Uruguayan said.
“I am sad the way my players played the second half as they relaxed too much after playing such a great match in the first half.
“We have to be disciplined. We can't relax in matches like these. We gifted away an easy point to Bahrain and I am not happy with that.
“We were the better team. We played with a lot of spirit in the first half. Relaxing in the second half was a big mistake.
“I have spoken to the players that we can't repeat such mistakes again. We had so many opportunities in the first half. We were also good with counterattacks.
“Anyway, we will go step by step."
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