Arab Cup Knockout: Bahrain Gears Up to Edge Djibouti in a High-Stakes Do-or-Die Qualifier

Stakes on the Line: Bahrain vs Djibouti in a Do-or-Die Arab Cup Qualifier

Bahrain and Djibouti meet at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Wednesday evening in the qualifying round for the 2025 Arab Cup, which runs in Qatar from December 1 to 18.

The winner advances to Group 4 alongside Algeria and Iraq, with the winner of the Lebanon vs Sudan clash also securing a spot in the group stage.

Djibouti has lost their last five matches, while Bahrain have drawn once and lost four, making this fixture surprisingly even based on recent results.

Bahrain’s most recent test was a 1-2 home defeat to Somalia in a friendly, a jolt just before this knockout tie.

That setback sits amid a stretch where Bahrain have lost nine of their last 11 matches, despite a squad that features experienced players and a potent attack led by Ali Madan and Mehdi Al-Hamidan.

Djibouti, too, has struggled to turn results around, closing World Cup qualification with five straight losses and then suffering two heavy friendlies against Morocco (0-6 and 0-7) last week.

Both teams know a win is essential to reset and keep a hope of progression alive in the group phase.

"Special Cup" is how some coaches described the tie, underscoring its knockout nature and the pressure to perform.

Bahrain coach Dragan Talich spoke at a press conference: "We will treat the match against Djibouti as a special tournament in itself because it is knockout, and we will play with high spirit."

He added: "We aim to win to secure progression to the group phase and please our fans with a victory that puts us into the Arab Cup groups."

Mehdi Al-Hamidan echoed the focus: "First we must concentrate on Djibouti, but we also want to show strong form for the Arab Cup."

"We have a good team, we have trained together for four or five years, and there is nothing to stop us from delivering a noteworthy performance in the qualifier," he said.

Jassim Al-Sheikh noted that the clash won’t be easy, praising the tournament’s organization in Qatar and the conducive environment it provides for preparations.

He added: "Our preparations are solid, and we know football respects no mere names. We will rely on readiness, unity, and high morale to deliver a result that pleases Bahrain’s fans."

Stefan Nado, the Djibouti coach, stated: "The Arab Cup is an important opportunity for us to show a positive image of Djiboutian football."

"We know the Bahrain challenge is tough, but we can win and reach the group stage," he insisted, closing with insights on exploiting any Bahrain frailties to secure victory.

Idris Humed Bileh, a Djibouti player, said: "We enter Bahrain with high spirits and a clear goal to win, after thorough preparation."

"We are fully ready and aware of Bahrain’s strengths, yet we believe in our own capabilities; this Arab Cup means a lot to Djibouti, and we will give everything to win and uplift our nation," he concluded.

Bahrain’s build-up included domestic training camps, a friendly with Somalia, and a Doha drill, with the coaching staff emphasizing tactical refinement and mental and physical readiness.

The staff recognize the match as the only gateway to the group stage, making victory the sole option in this knockout phase.

Team news – Bahrain

Goalkeepers: Omar Zayed, Mohammed Al-Gharabli, Ibrahim Latif Allah.

Defence: Ameen Benadi, Walid Al-Hiyam, Sid Mousawi, Hussein Al-Aker, Vincent Toutchouko, Jassim Al-Sheikh, Ahmed Bugmar, Mohammed Hassan, Hazzaa Mubarak, Abd Allah Al-Khalasi.

Midfield: Sayed Shuber, Ali Madan, Mohammed Marrhon, Kamel Al-Aswad, Omar Abdulrahman.

Attack: Hashem Radi, Ibrahim Al-Khat-tal, Mehdi Abdul Jabbar, Mohammed Al-Romhi, Mehdi Al-Hamidan.