Doha: Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah said his Sudan national team is determined to secure a win and claim full points when they face Bahrain Tuesday in the final group match of Group D at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025. At the pre-match media briefing, Appiah described the match as a must-win and a critical clash, noting that the team enjoys strong support from Sudanese fans, and promising they will leave no effort spared to cling to hope and maintain their aspirations for advancement to the quarterfinals, even though their chances have become markedly slim.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Sudan team created numerous chances in the previous matches, but fortune did not favor it in finding the net. Appiah believes that the squad could score as it has focused thoroughly on finding the right solutions. The tournament, he said, gave them a crucial opportunity to assess every member of the roster ahead of their upcoming commitments at the African Cup of Nations in Morocco, a tournament they hope to approach with a full and tested squad despite missing several key players this time.

For his part, Sudanese midfielder Mohamed Abdulrahman emphasized the stakes of the match, earning the full three points and holding firm to hope for a quarterfinal berth. Meanwhile, Croatian coach Dragan Talajic of Bahrain said his side will aim for a win in what could be their final appearance in the competition. He emphasized that the squad is ready for tomorrow's showdown.

The team has already been eliminated from contention, but intending to field some fresh faces nonetheless, Talajic acknowledged, affirming that the result matters for spectators, as the squad will fight hard to deliver and finish on a high note. Talajic pointed out that despite the early exit, the experience garnered has been valuable: the team faced strong, experienced opponents, providing a significant development opportunity for the players.

Bahraini forward Abdullah Al Khalasi added that the squad aims to take a moral victory, stressing that it aspires to show the performance anticipated and defend the reputation of Bahraini football. He recalled that the team must draw lessons from the tournament and compensate for what happened in earlier matches.