Riffa held, Al Khaldiya claim big win

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Riffa were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Hala yesterday while Al Khaldiya routed Budaiya 4-1 to kick off the 12th week of action in the 2021/2022 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

Riffa headed into their match as favourites but were only able to come away with a share of the points as Hala surprised them with an early goal before being able to hold on for the stalemate at the final whistle.

Khaldiya, on the other hand, scored twice on either side of half-time to post a huge win against bottom-ranked Budaiya. In Riffa’s triumph, Hala were first to score after Tunisian professional Yousri Arfaoui headed the ball home in the 11th minute.

A free-kick from the right wing supplied by Yahiya Ahmea Infahi Mohamed flew deep into the penalty area, and Arfaoui rose higher than his Riffa markers to meet the ball with his head and send it past Riffa goalkeeper Abdulla Efrih from close range.

That only gave Hala the lead momentarily, as Riffa were able to find the equaliser a little over a quarter-hour later. Recently signed Bahrain international striker Mohammed Al Rumaihi sent in a short cross from the right of the penalty area that was fumbled by Hala goalkeeper Godwill Chia.

His error proved costly as the ball went into the path of Riffa’s Syrian professional Mohammad Suleiman Anez, who needed only to tap the ball home. Unfortunately for both teams, neither could add to the score line over the remainder of the match despite having some chances.

Riffa had only their third draw of the season and it snapped their eighth-match winning streak. They improved to 30 points atop the league table. Hala finished with their fifth deadlock, as they moved to 11 points. Meanwhile, in Al Khaldiya’s win, they were first to score in the 21st minute when Sayed Dhiya Saeed fired in from close range.

Budaiya were able to level the proceedings, however, in the 33rd minute with a header from Abdulaziz Al Shaikh. But Khaldiya were able to go back ahead just before half-time with a penalty kick from Mahdi Humaidan.

They were awarded their spot kick after Humaidan’s sure-fire shot was stopped at the line with an intentional handball by Budaiya’s Felipe Hereda, who was shown a red card by the match referee for the play.

Humaidan took the penalty himself, which he sent into the bottom-right corner of goal. It was enough to send Khaldiya into the break with the lead. They then made it 3-1 in the 56th minute following an own goal by Budaiya’s Saheed Azeez, who accidentally steered a Lazar Dordevic cross into his own net.

Khaldiya then applied the final nail in the coffin the very next minute following Humaidan’s second, which came off a brilliant one-two with teammate Ibrahim Quattara. Khaldiya claimed their sixth win as they rose to 21 points, while Budaiya suffered their league-worst ninth loss and stayed in last place with five markers.

League action continues tonight with Al Najma facing Manama at 5pm, followed by AFC Cup champions Muharraq taking on Hidd at 7.35pm.