Welcome to Ballarat, Bahrain. 

The group began its preparations for the Asian Cup 2015 in a low-key fashion after arriving in Melbourne in the early hours of Sunday. 

Team manager Muhannad Al Ansari was suitably impressed with the facilities and the surrounds, saying the pitch was better than some surfaces the team had practised on at home.

The team will call Ballarat home until two days before the tournament starts on January 9, and, after a bit of encouragement from mayor John Philips, Mr Al Ansari said the players and staff planned to soak up all Ballarat had to offer apart from the soccer. 

A visit to the wildlife park and Sovereign Hill could be on the cards for the 122nd-ranked soccer team in the world. 

However, the choice of Ballarat seems principally based around preparation. 

“We didn’t want the hassles and distractions of the city (Melbourne),” said Mr Al Ansari, who felt the players needed to get their heads down and train ahead of a tilt at the Asian Cup.

The team will train twice daily at Morshead Park Stadium on non-match days, in addition to playing a practice game against Jordan in Ballarat on January 4. 

Mr Al Ansari is hopeful the side can win this year’s competition after failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2011 tournament in Qatar. 

“We need 10 per cent of luck, but in life you need

10 per cent of luck,” he said. 

Cr Philips said Bahrain’s decision to train in Ballarat was a great coup for the city. 

“There’s so many young people in Ballarat looking at soccer, so it’s good for them,” he said.

He said the City of Ballarat would try to en-

gage the touring party as much as possible, but couldn’t expand on what other activities had been confirmed with the team by council staff.

william.vallely@fairfaxmedia.com.au