Muharraq, Riffa claim big victories

TDT | Manama                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com 

Leaders Muharraq and defending champions Riffa both claimed big victories last night as week six kicked off in the 2022/2023 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

Muharraq powered past Budaiya 4-0 while Riffa defeated Hidd 3-1.

The two teams remained in first and second place, respectively, with yesterday’s results.

In Muharraq’s triumph, four different players were on target, including Abdulwahab Al Malood, Abdulla Al Khalasi, Mario Fontanella and Hamza Al Jibn.

Al Malood opened their account in the 39th minute from close range off a pass from outside the box.

Muharraq’s second came with a brilliant strike in the 65th minute by Abdulla Al Khalasi, who fired home from around 30 yards out.

Muharraq’s third came in the 72nd minute through Mario Fontanella, with the Italian scoring right in front of goal.

The victors then got their fourth in the 91st minute, when Hamza Al Jibn sent the ball into the net, also from close range.

Muharraq claimed their fourth win in six matches and stayed in first place on the league standings.

Budaiya were handed their fourth loss and remained in last place.

Meanwhile, Riffa had three players on the scoresheet against Hidd, including Mohammed Al Romaihi, Omar Al Malki and Jassim Hamdouni.

Al Romaihi fired in first in the 40th minute with a strike from close range off an assist from Jassim Al Shaikh, who sent a lobbed pass off a free-kick from near midfield.

Al Romaihi masterfully fired home with a single touch.

It didn’t take long for Riffa to double their advantage, as an unmarked Al Malki scored from the face of goal just two minutes later, with Al Shaikh once again providing the assist.

That gave Riffa the comfortable two-goal lead at the half.

Hidd were able to reply late in the game through Sayed Mohammed Adnan, who scored from inside the penalty area in the 83rd minute.

But Riffa were not done and added their third in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

Hashim Sayed Isa forced the opposing goalkeeper off his line, and then sent a short pass to a waiting Hamdouni, who comfortably sent the ball into an empty net.

Riffa claimed their fourth win in six games and went to 13 points, one behind Muharraq, while Hidd suffered their third loss in six and stayed on seven.