Al Khaldiya, East Riffa win openers

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Defending champions Al Khaldiya and East Riffa were both victorious last night as week one wrapped up in the new season of the Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

Mahdi Abduljabbar and Dhurgham Ismael were on target for Khaldiya on either side of half-time in their 2-0 triumph over Sitra; while Thaigo Augusto fired in the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time in East Riffa’s 2-1 win against Al Ahli.

In Khaldiya’s victory, Abduljabbar opened the scoring in the 19th minute, heading the ball in from close range off a long cross from the left supplied by Ismael.

The Iraqi midfielder then added their second in the 51st minute.

A clearance effort by Sitra’s Alexander Amponsah was inadvertently deflected back towards goal, and Ismael was in the right place at the right time, needing just one touch to fire into the net past the Sitra goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, Jassim Khelaif put East Riffa ahead in the 65th minute with a goal from an acute angle inside the box off a fine one-two with Augusto.

But Ahli equalised in the 83rd minute through Al Hashash on a quick counterattack, with an assist from teammate Jamal Rashid.

With the match appearing to be headed for a stalemate, Augusto provided the stunner on a quick counter and off a low cross from the left by Salem Al Dosari.

League action continues on Wednesday this week.