Manama, Muharraq in thrilling stalemate

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Manama stayed in the driver’s seat in the tight title race of the 2022/2023 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League last night, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by fellow-championship hopefuls Muharraq.

Meanwhile, Sitra stayed in the hunt and narrowed the gap to leaders Manama to just two points with a resounding 3-1 victory over lowly Budaiya.

Manama, Muharraq and Sitra have now all played 20 matches and each have just two remaining, as the exciting fight for the crown goes down to the wire.

Muharraq are three points from the top, while Al Khaldiya, who are in action tonight, are also still with a chance four points behind.

Manama and Muharraq were both reduced to 10 men in their thrilling, drama-filled encounter played at a rocking Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

Manama skipper Ahmed Moussa and Muharraq substitute Victor Manuel Arboleda Murillo were both on target for their respective sides.

Moussa scored in the 69th minute with a brilliant volley from just outside the penalty area.

His strike came after a Mohammed Al Hallaq corner-kick was cleared from the box.

The waiting and unmarked Moussa unleashed a rocket that flew into the net past Muharraq’s veteran Bahrain international goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar.

Manama’s celebrations were short lived as Muharraq equalised just minutes later in the 75th when Murillo headed home from close range off a short pass in the area.

Franck Kony Nsanget was then shown a red card in the 79th minute following his second yellow on a foul against Sufyan Mahrouq.

Muharraq’s Waleed Al Hayyam was also given his marching orders in the 98th minute of play, when the game was all but decided.

With the result, Manama posted their sixth draw and went to 39 points in first place, while Muharraq claimed their ninth draw and imrpved to 36 points.

In Sitra’s big win, Seydina Laye Dabo, Badar Bashir Muhammad Abdallah and Mishaal Marzouq were all on target in the first half.

Dabo opened their account in the 22nd minute with a spectacular curling free-kick from the outside-left corner of the of the penalty box, swerving the ball into the top-left corner of the net.

In the 35th, Abdallah added Sitra’s second from outside the area with a low shot to the bottom-right corner.

Just two minutes before halftime, Marzouq made it 3-0 for Sitra with an attempt that was deflected and which flew over the outstretched arm of Budaiya goalkeeper Jassim Fouad Al Naar.

Budaiya registered a consolation in the 74th minute through Saidou Barry, who scored from an acute angle.

With the result, Sitra improved to 37 points as they leapfrogged Muharraq to second place on the league standings.

They registered their 10th win in 20 games. Budaiya, on the other hand, remained negative-one on points after suffering their league-worst 17th loss.

Week 20 action continues tonight with Al Khaldiya taking on Al Hala and defending champions Riffa in a derby with East Riffa.

Both matches are scheduled for 6.45pm kick-offs. Tomorrow, Al Ahli face off with Al Shabab and Hidd take on Bahrain Club, both also at 6.45pm.