Bahrain sack coach after loss

SINGAPORE: Bahrain have sacked coach Luka Peruzovic following the team's Asian Cup qualifying loss to Australia, reports said yesterday. 

The Croatian-born naturalised Belgian has been replaced by his second assistant Riyadh Al-Thawadi, FootballAsia.com quoted Bahrain Football Association general secretary Ahmed Jassim as saying. 

“We had no other choice but to part ways with Luka after all these unconvincing results under his management since he took over eight months ago,” said Jassim. 

Assistant Mijac Zeljko was also fired. 

The 3-1 home defeat to Asian newcomers Australia was the last straw after Peruzovic, who represented Yugoslavia at the 1974 World Cup Finals, presided over a 10-match winless streak. 

“There has been a lot of pressure from Bahraini supporters as well as the media calling for Luka's sacking. I am quite sure we have taken the right decision before it was too late,” said Jassim.