KUALA LUMPUR: Bahrain secured a place in the 2023 Asian Cup as Group E champions after a 1-0 victory against Turkmenistan in their final match of the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, today.

Helio Sausa's men dominated the game early on, but Turkmenistan came dangerously close to leading the match in the seventh minute when Movlamberdi Goshanov's powerful shot went just over the bar.

Taken aback by the attempt, the 'Dilmun's Warriors' upped the ante with an onslaught of their own, keeping goalkeeper Mammet Orazmuhammedov busy in front of his goal.

Bahrain finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through a penalty kick from Abdulla Yusuf Helal after Orazmuhammedov brought down Ali Jaafar Madan in a 50-50 challenge for the ball.

Helal almost added another goal for Bahrain just a minute later, but his powerful shot from the right side of the penalty box was just slightly off target.


Turkmenistan almost equalised in injury time of the first half, but Ahmet Atayev's attempt off a corner kick from Arslan Amanov was successfully cleared by midfielder Ali Abdula Haram in a dangerous area.

Turkmenistan came out aggressive in the second half, but Sayed Mohamed Abbas successfully defended his goal, including a dangerous attempt by Guychmyrat Annagulyev in the dying moments of the game.

The victory saw Bahrain top Group E with a perfect record of three wins, while Malaysia are eyeing the opportunity to accompany Bahrain as runners-up when they play against Bangladesh in the final group match tonight.

-- BERNAMA