By Roy Ward
One team came from Torquay, the other from Ballarat.
They met in Geelong to play a friendly game, one which could have been for country week cricket or an Aussie rules pre-season match.
Simonds Stadium was lit up for the unlikely pairing of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.Credit: Angela Wylie
But this time it was Saudi Arabia playing Bahrain in a pre-Asian Cup friendly soccer match at Simonds Stadium, Geelong on Tuesday night.
The Saudis are training in Torquay ahead of the tournament while Bahrain based themselves in Ballarat to avoid the distractions of the city.
Both teams are considered middle of the road sides when it comes to rating the contenders for the Asian Cup but on this night Bahrain looked the more organised and more ready of the two nations.
The match was one of the few friendlies opened up to the public and a diverse crowd came to Simonds Stadium to take in the match, especially as it was free admission, something always welcome during the school holidays.
The Saudis had the support of a vocal supporter group who banged drums and danced for much of the pregame and parts of the contest except for when their side went down 2-0 midway through the first half.
Much of the crowd were parents and children who braved a windy and cool stadium to take the chance to see the home of AFL club Geelong Cats transformed into a soccer ground.
The Reg Hickey Stand was opened up for supporters with much of the lower tier filled with supporters while a few sat in the pocket of the Gary Ablett Terrrace.
While the tickets were free, parking remained at its regular fee of $10, something avoided by street-wise locals who parked nearby and walked to the ground.
Both sides threatened early as they shared possession and adjusted to local conditions, barely a foul was called in the first 10 minutes because of this.
On 19 minutes a decisive Bahrain run into the box drew a penalty, one which was blasted to the right bottom corner by striker Fouzi Mubarak Aaish to make it 1-0.
Clad in red and looking far more organised and accomplished in attack, Bahrain was soon up 2-0 after experienced striker Ismaeel Abdul-Latif smashed a left-foot strike at the Saudi keeper whose parry was happily powered in by teammate Sami Mohamed Saeed Alhusaini.
Latif was comfortably joining with his teammates in skillful attacks and should well have seen his side up 3-0 at the main break but for a poor headed finish just before the whistle.
A primary school aged boy near in the crowd took a liking to small Saudi attacking midfielder Yahia Alshehri.
"He looks like Hayden Ballentyne," the boy exclaimed, evoking the name of the Fremantle forward who tormented the Cats in recent seasons.
Alshehri certainly mirrored Ballentyne in his short build, low centre of gravity and haircut but his skin is several shades darker and he wasn't able to enrage his opponents in the same way.
In the opening moments of the second half the Saudi cheer squad was in full voice after striker Naif Hazazi was Johnny on the spot to boot a loose ball into the goal from close range making it 2-1.
The Saudis then had a rare period of dominance and even hit the post before Bahrain's efficient passing put them further in front as Aaish was brought down in the box giving his side another penalty.
Abdul Latif stepped up for this penalty which he swiftly dispatched into the bottom left corner to make it 3-1, he would make it 4-1 minutes later after getting his foot to a low ball and guiding past the Saudi keeper.
Aaish almost gave local fans something to remember with an attempted chip shot from just over half way but his attempt floated just over the bar, sparing the blushes of the Saudi defence.
As a football venue, Simonds Stadium was right for the occasion and wouldn't look out of place in the tournament proper but for its oval shape.
As a free night's entertainment one couldn't beat seeing two skilled national teams play.
The loss didn't dampen the spirits of the Saudi supporters who flocked to the players race at full time with selfie-sticks in hand and phones cameras ready to go.
Simonds Stadium won't be taking down the soccer goals in a hurry either as Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory play at the ground, this time for points, on Friday night.
Bahrain 4 (Ismaeel Abdul Latif 2, Sami Mohamed Saeed Alhusaini, Fouzi Mubarak Aaish) d Saudi Arabia 1 (Naif Hazazi) at Simonds Stadium, Geelong on Tuesday night.