Shabab, Sitra in last-second stalemate

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Al Shabab and Sitra signed off from the 2022/2023 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League last night with a last-gasp 1-1 draw.

Barfo Ernest opened the scoring for Sitra shortly after kickoff, but then an own goal gifted Shabab a late equaliser in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time.

Ernest’s fourth minute strike came from close range off a short pass from teammate Mutasim Billah Iskandar.

The goal appeared to separate the two sides after 90 minutes, but then a huge gaffe by Sitra gave Shabab a share of the points.

Shabab goalkeeper Hamad Al Doseri headed towards goal off a free-kick, and the ball found its way into the net after a mad scramble as Sitra tried unsuccessfully to clear in what was the concluding possession of the game.

With the result, Shabab improved to 27 points but stayed in the bottom half of the standings while Sitra went to 38, good for fifth to end the season.

Only three matches remain in the league, two of which will decide the title.

The schedule of these games has yet to be determined by the Bahrain Football Association.