MANAMA, BAHRAIN: Mohamed Salmeen scored in the opening minute and Faouzi Aiash netted a late free-kick as Bahrain maintained their lead in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 win over bottom side Yemen on Tuesday.

Less than 60 seconds had elapsed at the National Stadium when Salmeen deflected Mohammed Ba Rowis’s attempted clearance into the net to give the home side a dream start.

Goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar preserved the lead when he stopped Aiman Al Hagri on a breakaway midway through the first half and Aaish confirmed the win when he curled in a superb free-kick two minutes from the end.

Bahrain had already booked their place in the 2015 finals but the win helped them to remain in first place in the group, one point ahead of Qatar with one round of games remaining.