AFC Asian Cup
Assistant coach Ahmed Alamrei described the draw as balanced, expressing confidence that Bahrain had every chance of advancing to the Round of 16 from a group that also consists former winners Korea Republic, Malaysia and Jordan.
Factfile
FIFA world Ranking: 83
Previous Appearances: 6
Best Finish: Semi-finals - 2004
2019 Result: Round of 16
Group E opponents: Korea Republic, Malaysia, Jordan
Head Coach: Juan Antonio Pizzi (ARG)
Fun Fact: Bahrain will be appearing in the Finals for the sixth consecutive edition
Previous Appearances: 6
Best Finish: Semi-finals - 2004
2019 Result: Round of 16
Group E opponents: Korea Republic, Malaysia, Jordan
Head Coach: Juan Antonio Pizzi (ARG)
Fun Fact: Bahrain will be appearing in the Finals for the sixth consecutive edition
Bahrain will be guided by the experienced Juan Antonio Pizzi, with the Argentinian having coached Saudi Arabia at the UAE 2019 edition.
The West Asian side, who finished fourth in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, open their campaign against Korea Republic with Malaysia and Jordan to follow.
With an experienced squad available, Bahrain will feel they have the players to match the continent’s top teams in Qatar 2023.
They comfortably cruised through the final round of the Qualifiers, topping Group E with a perfect record of three wins.
Among the teams they defeated were Malaysia while Jordan will be familiar West Asian foes.
Korea Republic will be Bahrain's toughest challenge, with the two-time AFC Asian Cup winners having won their 2019 Round of 16 match-up 2-1 in extra-time.
Bahrain's Group E fixtures
15 January
v Korea Republic (14:30 local time, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium)
20 January
v Malaysia (17:30 local time, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium)
25 January
v Jordan (14:30 local time, Khalifa International Stadium)
15 January
v Korea Republic (14:30 local time, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium)
20 January
v Malaysia (17:30 local time, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium)
25 January
v Jordan (14:30 local time, Khalifa International Stadium)
