Riffa edge past Hala in football league

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Riffa claimed a sensational come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Al Hala last night in their week five match of the 2023/2024 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

All three goals in the match were scored in a wild three minutes late in the second half, when Hala took the lead but then Riffa scored the equaliser and winner in quick succession.

Hala’s Daniel Asante put his team in front in the 80th minute with a fine volley from an acute angle inside the penalty area.

Asante connected on a cross from the right supplied by Hala captain Hussain Mahmood Jaafar, and he made no mistake with his first touch, sending the ball home past Riffa goalkeeper Abdulkarim Al Fardan. Hala’s lead was short-lived, however, as Riffa equalised the very next minute.

Komail Al Aswad sent home a rebound after a Hazza Ali effort from long range was punched away by Hala goalkeeper Godwill Chia Ndang, but the rebound went right into the path of Al Aswad.

Riffa then stunned their opponents with the winning goal just one minute later, with Abdulaziz Khalid finding the target.

With the result, Riffa improved to 10 points on the league table with their third win in four matches while Hala suffered their third loss of the season and stayed on six points.

Meanwhile, in last night’s other match, Al Shabab pulled off a 3-2 upset of Muharraq.

Alyson Romeu Dantas de Andrade scored the winner in the 71st minute. He sent the ball home off a missed penalty, which he also took. Shabab had earlier scored twice in the first half, but Muharraq replied with two of their own right after the restart.

That set the stage for de Andrade’s decider. Shabab claimed their second win and went to six points after four games, while Muharraq lost for the second time in five matches and stayed on five points.

League action continues tonight with another two fixtures on the cards. Sitra take on Al Najma while Hidd face off with East Riffa, both at 7pm.

Tomorrow, defending champions Al Khaldiya lock horns with Manama, while Al Ahli take on Busaiteen, both with 7pm kick-offs.