BAHRAIN’S preparations for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup are officially over, with the squad completing its final training session at Morshead Park on Tuesday night.
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Bahrain football officials believe the 10-day training camp in Ballarat has allowed for an optimal run into its first Asian Cup match against Iran on Sunday.
The squad will leave for Melbourne on Wednesday for its opening group C match, before travelling to Canberra for a clash against the United Arab Emirates on January 15, and Sydney on January 19 for the final group stage clash against Qatar.
Team manager Muhannad Al Ansari believes the team has had a “perfect” preparation in Ballarat, and had embraced the Australian lifestyle since lodging in Creswick’s Novotel Forest Resort.
“Everything was perfect and we had a really great time,” Al Ansari said.
“The whole delegation was impressed with the city and we came here to get the most benefits we could.”
Despite being ranked an outsider for overall cup honours, Bahrain has defeated two of its biggest rivals in practice matches.
It began with a 4-1 dismantling of Saudi Arabia in Geelong back in December, and backed up the performance with a tight 1-0 win over Jordan in front of 2000 onlookers at Morshead Park on Sunday.
“The main thing we are looking for is improvement after our Gulf Cup performance,” Al Ansari said.
“We want to accomplish what we did 10 years ago (fourth, in 2004).
“We feel that this past week in Ballarat has given us real team spirit.”