Could Coventry City be playing international football against Bahrain?

[briggcov]

COVENTRY City could be playing international football next month - against Bahrain!

The Bahrain national coach will definitely play four top European football clubs in friendly matches next month, although no game has been confirmed against the Sky Blues, according to head coach Milan Macala on gulf-daily-news.com

Macala said that the Bahrainis have confirmed matches against the German Bundesliga's FC Shalke 04, newly promoted English Premier League side Stoke City, and Czech Gambrinus Liga mainstays SK Sigma Olomouc.

The nationals may also play Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas, although that tie has yet to be finalised.

The friendlies will be part of the national team's training camp in Austria between July 15 and 31, when they will be preparing for the fourth and final round of Asian qualifying for the Fifa World Cup.

Macala said teams like England's Arsenal, Bolton and Coventry City; Spain's Real Madrid; and Greece's Panathanaikos will be training at the same location over the same period.

"Twenty big teams will be in this area at that time, and I'm very happy that we will be able to be there as well," Macala told the GDN prior to training last night at the Bahrain Football Association grounds in Riffa.

"I have had very good experience there in the past - once while coaching Oman and last year with Bahrain. It is a very special place, and it will be an important time for the team.