Al Khaldiya power to top

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Defending champions Al Khaldiya and title contenders Muharraq came away with contrasting victories last night to kick off the 12th week of action in the 2023/2024 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

Khaldiya posted a 4-1 triumph against Sitra to rise to the top of the league standings—just a point ahead of former solo leaders Riffa, who have two matches in hand. Muharraq, meanwhile, battled back from a two-goal deficit in the first half to come away with all three-points in a 3-2 win against bottom side Hidd.

The two teams remained amongst the top three clubs on the table. Khaldiya opened the scoring in their game with a 14th minute penalty converted by Samy Frioui.

Lucas Spinola Salinas then supplied their next two goals. Salinas found the net in the 17th minute following a brilliant counterattack and a sensational through-pass from Frioui.

He was then on target once again in the 32nd minute, to give his team the commanding lead heading into the break. Just eight minutes after the re-start, Gleison Wilson Da Silva Moreira made it 4-0 with a fine header, and then Sitra had their lone consolation in the 73rd through Songola Issa.

Khaldiya’s Mahdi Abduljabbar missed an opportunity to make it five for Khaldiya after his penalty attempt in the first minute of second-half stoppage time was saved.Khaldiya claimed their sixth win in 12 matches and improved to 23 points for first place, while Sitra suffered their fourth loss and stayed on 13 points.

Dream

Meanwhile, Hidd had a dream start in their clash with neighbours Muharraq, scoring after just 28 seconds after kick-off with Adnan Fawaz tapping the ball in from close range, off a cross from the left of the box.

Jacques Medina Iemopele Elrefe then doubled their advantage in the 20th minute from close range.

But any celebrations were short-lived, and Hussain Abdulkarim provided the heroics for Muharraq, spearheading their comeback with a fantastic hat-trick.

Abdulkarim first found the net in the 34th minute from inside the six-yard box after a mad scramble in the area.

He then brought his team back on level terms just two minutes into the second half, when he headed home off a corner-kick.

Abdulkarim then fired Muharraq into the lead four minutes after the hour-mark, converting a spot kick and completely deflating their opponents’ spirits.

Muharraq held on until the end to come away with the full three points, improving to 22— tied with Riffa—but in third on the standings due to goal difference.

Hidd stayed in last place with just eight points following their eighth loss.

League action continues tonight with three matches on schedule, all kicking off simultaneously at 7pm.

Al Hala face off with Busaiteen while Al Ahli go head-to-head to East Riffa.

Manama then take on Al Shabab in the third game.

This evening’s action wraps up the 12th week of play, in which Riffa are not playing due to their West Zonal semi-final commitments against Al Nahda of Oman in the 2023/2024 AFC Cup