Riffa held by Hidd, Ahli rout Hala

TDT | Manama                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Defending champions Riffa were held to a 1-1 draw by Hidd last night while Al Ahli scored a 3-0 win over Al Hala to kick off week 17 in the 2022/2023 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

Riffa lost some crucial points as they remained behind the top four on the table, while Ahli narrowed the gap to the league leaders. In Riffa’s draw, Ali Haram opened the scoring with a superb rocket in the 29th minute from several metres outside the penalty area.

But Thiago Augusto Fernandes was quick to equalise for Hidd just 10 minutes later to send the match into the half level at 1-1. Neither team could add to the score from there, as they each came away with a share of the points.

Riffa posted their sixth draw and are now on 27 points, while Hidd had their fifth stalemate and improved to 20 points.

Meanwhile, three different players were on target for Ahli in their big win. Abdulla Al Hashash was first to find the net in the 11th minute, and then Jamal Rashid made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot.

Just moments after the re-start, Vinicius Vargas Dos Santos was on target for Ahli, giving them the commanding 3-0 lead with a lobbed goal over the Hala keeper.

Ahli climed their sixth win and rose to 24 points with the result, while dealing Hala their seventh loss. League action continues tomorrow with Sitra playing Al Khalidya at 6.30pm in a crucial clash between two teams in the top four.

At the same time at a different venue, East Riffa play Al Shabab.