Riffa outclass Kuwait’s Arabi in AFC Cup

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Riffa Club outclassed a 10-man Al Arabi SC of Kuwait 3-0 late Monday night in their Group C match of the AFC Cup 2023.

The game was played at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City, and the result moved the Bahrainis closer to a second successive West Zonal semi-final appearance.

On target for the victors were Komail Al Aswad, Hashem Sayed Issa and Joel Vinicius Silva Dos Anjos.

After a goalless first half, Al Aswad opened Riffa’s account in the 56th minute with a brilliant free-kick from a few metres outside the penalty box.

The Bahrain international star sent the ball into the top-left corner of goal with a left-footed strike.

Issa then made it 2-0 just seven minutes later with a fine effort from an acute angle that slotted past Arabi goalkeeper Ahmad Dashti.

Dos Anjos then sealed the full three points with an effort that was touched by Dashti, but he couldn’t keep it out of the net.

The result propelled Riffa to the top of the Group C table with seven points from two wins and a draw.

Al Zawraa SC of Iraq and Arabi follow with four points apiece, while Nejmeh SC of Lebanon are bottom on one point.

Riffa’s next AFC Cup clash will be at home against Arabi on 6 November before they face Nejmeh on 27 November.

They complete their group campaign on 12 December away at Zawra’a.

The AFC Cup is the annual continental club competition of the AFC for top teams not competing in the AFC Champions League.

Riffa are the lone Bahraini outfit in this year’s competition.