Khaldiya keep title hopes alive

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Al Khaldiya moved to just a single point behind leaders Manama last night at the top of the table in the 2022/2023 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League following a crucial 2-1 victory over Al Hala in their week 20 match.

Ismaeel Abdullatif and Samy Frioui were both on target within a three-minute span in the first half to help lift Khaldiya to their win.

Abdullatif supplied their first goal with some brilliant individual skill, lobbing the ball over the Hala goalkeeper and tapping it into an open net.

Frioui then doubled their advantage with a volley in the face of goal, with Abdullatif this time providing the assist from the right wing.

Hala got a goal back through Yahya Anfahi in the 44th minute.

He overpowered his defender and sent the ball home from the six-yard box.

With the result, Khaldiya claimed their 11th win and improved to 38 points for second place on the standings.

They are one point behind Manama, one ahead of third-placed Sitra and two in front of Muharraq in the top four, with only two matchdays remaining.

Hala suffered their ninth loss and stayed on 21 points. Meanwhile, also last night, defending champions Riffa stayed with a mathematical chance to retain their title with a 1-0 win over East Riffa in a derby.

Amin Al Shanaina fired in the game’s lone strike in the 19th minute from close range, off a fine through-pass by Komail Al Aswad. Riffa claimed their ninth win to go to 33 points in fifth place with two games to play.

East Riffa suffered their eighth defeat and stayed on 20 markers.

Week 20 action concludes tonight with Al Ahli facing Al Shabab and Hidd taking on Bahrain Club, both at 6.45pm.