FIFA Day: Yemen Collapse to Bahrain 1-3 before facing Malaysia

Yemen’s national football team faces a crucial test of character on Tuesday, November 17, as they look to quickly regroup from a bitter 3-1 setback against Gulf neighbors Bahrain ahead of their second international friendly against Malaysia.

Entering Saturday’s all-Gulf showdown in China, Yemen was chasing a rare milestone—hoping to record only their second-ever international victory over Bahrain. Standing in their way was a highly motivated Bahraini side led by head coach Felix Sanchez, who were determined to exact revenge after previously falling to Yemen in the Arabian Gulf Cup group stage.

For the opening half-hour, Yemen executed their gameplan to perfection and looked poised to inflict a repeat nightmare on Sanchez’s men. The West Asian underdogs stunned Bahrain in the 21st minute when Abdul Majeed Sabarah found the back of the net, firing Yemen into a shock 1-0 lead.

However, Yemen proved unable to weather Bahrain’s fierce response before the interval. Striker Abdulla Yusuf Helal breached the Yemeni backline to restore parity in the 35th minute, before Kumail Al Aswad struck a devastating blow in first-half stoppage time (45+1') to send Yemen into the dressing room trailing 2-1.

Refusing to roll over in the second period, Yemen pushed forward in search of an equalizer, only to be caught out at the back. Mohamed Marhoon compounded Yemen’s misery in the 72nd minute, clinical in finishing off a move that sealed a 3-1 defeat for the Yemenis at the final whistle.

While their defensive lapses against Bahrain have inadvertently handed Harimau Malaya a psychological boost, Yemen will view Tuesday’s clash against Malaysia as the ideal platform to bounce back, tighten their defensive structure, and close out their November FIFA window in China on a winning note.

Credit Photo : Bahrain FA