The 64-year-old Czech Republic tactician had to exclude five players from his original 28-member team as only 23 players flew to Uzbekistan yesterday.

Al Hala midfielder Rashid Al Sheroogi and Al Najma’s Hamad Faisal were dropped from the team due to injuries besides Al Shabab captain Mahmood Al Ojaimi, Abdulrahman Mubarak of Riffa and Muharraq’s young striker Ibahim Al Muqla.

The Bahrain delegation is being headed by General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and includes Bahrain Football Association vice-president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

The Bahrainis had a training session yesterday in Tashkent while their second and last practice will be held today at the match venue.

Both Bahrain and the Uzbeks are tied on one point each, but the Bahrainis have a greater goal difference.

Japan host Australia the same day in Yokohama. Qatar, who will be out of action, are the only team to have already played four matches. They are third with four points.