The historic international – the city’s first – will be at the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility on Sunday, January 4, as part of Bahrain’s pre-cup training camp in the city.

The City of Ballarat confirmed camp dates and details of the practice match on Thursday.

The friendly will be played at 7.30pm, with admission free to allow as many Ballarat regional people as possible to be exposed to international soccer.

Bahrain’s training camp in Ballarat will run from Sunday, December 28, until Wednesday, January 7.

There will be daily training sessions at the facility in Morshead Park, but the City of Ballarat is still to confirm how many will be open to the public.

A Ballarat campaign known as “Back the Bid” was successful in attracting Bahrain for the pre-tournament camp.

Ballarat learnt in May that Bahrain would use it as a base.

Bahrain opens its Asian Cup campaign against United Arab Emirates in Canberra on January 15.

The pool also features Iran and Qatar.

Jordan will meet Iraq in Brisbane on January 12 in a pool which also includes Palestine and Japan.

The Asian Cup begins with Australia facing Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9.

Bahrain is currently searching for a new national coach, having sacked Iraqi Adnan Hamad after a poor start to the Gulf Cup.

Hamad had been expected to guide the team into the Asian Cup after replacing Anthony Hudson on a two-year deal when the Englishman quit suddenly in late July to take charge of New Zealand.

Bahrain, which is ranked 104 in the world, enters the Asian Cup as a rank outsider with bookmakers – paying $81 with the TAB – while 74th ranked Jordan is paying $34.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au

david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au