SINGAPORE -- Three players were sent off
after a brawl as Bahrain defeated Singapore 2-1 in an Asian
World Cup group four qualifying match on Friday.
Singaporeans Noh Alam Shah and Dalis Supait and Bahrain's
Abdullah Marzooki were all given their marching orders in the
66th minute, just after Singapore had pulled a goal back through
Mohd Noor Ali.
Ali scored from close-range to give Singapore a chance of
repeating their draw against Kuwait on Tuesday after two goals
by Yusuf A'Amer Al Sadi in the first 25 minutes put Bahrain in
charge.
The striker hit his third goal in three games after just 15
minutes to give Wolfgang Sidka's side the lead. Ten minutes
later he had scored his fourth of the week -- after goals
against Kyrgyzstan and Kuwait -- and his second of the game to
put Bahrain in control.
Singapore pulled one back before a brawl broke out and
Japanese referee Kazuhiko Matsumura sent off the trio.
The group now takes a break until February 21, when it
recommences in Kuwait.
Earlier on Friday Kuwait beat Kyrgyzstan 3-0 and lead the
standings with seven points from their three games. Bahrain have
six, Kyrgyzstan have three and Sinapore one.
The group winners advance to the second phase of the Asian
qualifying competitiuon later in the year.
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