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BAHRAIN striker Ala'a Hubail has blamed the death of his grandmother for his poor showing in the 1-2 defeat by co-hosts Indonesia in the Asian Cup.
He said he had wanted to return home, but his request was denied by team officials.
He missed two glorious chances in first-half stoppage time with the score 1-1.
The 25-year-old said he and elder brother Mohammed, who also played, found out about their grandmother's death only days before the game.
'For sure we were affected,' he said. 'She was close to us... For sure it had a powerful effect.
'I wanted to leave the national team and return to Bahrain. I told one of my teammates to check with the team officials if I could return.
'But he said that they would not accept it.
'I tried my best but, mentally, I was not ready. I hope to make up for it in the next match against South Korea.'
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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