KUWAIT CITY — Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic is gearing up to face his predecessor Juan Pizzi, now leading Kuwait, in the Khaleeji Zain 26 semi-final on Tuesday night.

The much-anticipated match kicks off at 8:45 p.m. at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, with a packed crowd of 60,000 expected.

Talajic, who succeeded Pizzi as Bahrain’s coach, praised the Argentine as an “excellent coach” and acknowledged that Pizzi knows the Bahrain squad as well as he does.

“My full respect for Mr. Pizzi for all his work with Bahrain,” Talajic said at the pre-match press conference.

“But tomorrow is not a game between Pizzi and Dragan. It’s about Bahrain and Kuwait. The game is 50-50, but I hope my boys play nice football.”

Bahrain, winners of the Gulf Cup in 2019, have reached the semi-finals in three consecutive editions.

However, their confidence was shaken after a loss to Yemen in their final Group B game.

“Yes, we lost to Yemen and I take responsibility,” Talajic admitted.

“I put 11 new players on the pitch. Yemen played much better, and congratulations to them. It was a slap to me and my players, but it will motivate us to bounce back for our Kingdom.”

Despite the setback, Talajic expressed faith in his team’s readiness for the semi-final, choosing to keep his tactical plans under wraps.

“You will see tomorrow night, God willing, what my boys can do,” he added.

Kuwait, under Pizzi’s leadership, has shown steady improvement throughout the tournament and will be buoyed by home support in their quest for an 11th Gulf Cup title.

Talajic, however, remains confident that his players can rise to the occasion and deliver a memorable performance.

Before Bahrain and Kuwait take the stage, Saudi Arabia will face Oman in the first semi-final at the Jaber Al-Mubarak International Stadium, with kick-off at 5:30 p.m. — SG