Al Khaldiya rise to the top

Al Khaldiya rose to the top of the table last night following a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Al Hala in their week 10 fixture of the 2023/2024 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

A brace from Samy Frioui that followed an opening goal by Dominique Mendy lifted the defending champions to the win. Jumai Jallow scored Hala’s consolation. Meanwhile, East Riffa were held to a 1-1 draw by Sitra in yesterday’s other game.

TDT | Manama                                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Thiago Augusto Fernandes put East Riffa in front but Amir Rostai equalised from the penalty spot just minutes before full time. Last night’s contests kicked off the latest week of action in the current season. In Khaldiya’s triumph, they opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Mendy hit a volley right in the face of goal off a fine cross from the right supplied by Bahrain national team star Mahdi Humaidan.

The victors then added their second just nine minutes on, with Frioui putting on a display of brilliant individual skill. He received a cross from Dhurgham Ismail from the left wing, turned and slotted the ball home in one fluid motion past Hala’s young substitute goalkeeper Ashraf Mubarak, who came on for an injured Godwill Chia Ndang. Friou’s first was enough to give his team the advantage heading into the break.

Just three minutes after the restart, Frioui completed his double and made it 3-0. A shot by Humaidan from long range could not be collected by Mubarak, and Frioui was in the right place at the right time, sending the rebound into the net just inches from line.

Hala got a goal back in the 75th minute with an impressive solo effort from Jallow. He fired in a left-footed effort from inside the area that coasted past Khaldiya goalkeeper Mohammed Abdulrahim Elgharabli. With the result, Khaldiya improved to 17 markers to go to first place on the standings following their fourth win in 10 games. They are level on points with former solo leaders Al Ahli, but have a superior goal difference.

Hala suffered their sixth loss in 10 outings and stayed on 12 points in mid-table. In the other game yesterday, East Riffa went ahead in the 69th minute with a fine play off a free-kick. Jassim Khelaif sent in a pass into the box and Sami Al Hussaini shot towards goal.

All Fernandes needed to do was guide the ball in despite the heavy traffic. Sitra were able to get back on level terms after being awarded a penalty in the 88th minute after an East Riffa handball infraction. Rostai stepped forward to take the spot kick, and he made no mistake with his shot, which he had to retake. East Riffa improved to 15 points following their third stalemate, while Sitra went to 13 with their fourth draw.

The 10th week of league action continues tonight and tomorrow with another two matches each evening. Tonight, Manama face off with Muharraq while Manama go up against Hidd. Then, tomorrow, Ahli lock horns with Al Shabab and bottom-ranked Busaiteen play Riffa. All the games are scheduled for 7pm kick-offs.