Al Khaldiya, Muharraq in goalless draw

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Defending champions Al Khaldiya and top title-rivals Muharraq played to a goalless stalemate last night in their week 13 match of the 2023/2024 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

Also yesterday, Sitra stunned Al Ahli 1-0 with a late strike in second-half stoppage-time, while Manama and Al Hala were both unable to find the net in another scoreless draw.

In a rare occurrence, only one goal was scored across all three matches. None of the six teams in action were able to find the net in the first half of their games, and it took more than 90 minutes for Sitra to score the evening’s lone goal.

The fixtures, played simultaneously at different venues, wrapped up the 13th matchday of the season.

In Khaldiya’s draw with Muharraq, the two teams headed into the contest in second and third place, respectively, on the league standings, but neither could make the most of the occasion as they had to settle for a share of the points, with neither team making a move on the table.

Khaldiya posted their sixth draw in 13 games and improved to 24 markers.

They remained behind solo leaders Riffa, who are two points ahead on 26 points with a match in hand. Muharraq stayed within striking distance of the top two, improving to 23 points with their fifth draw in 13 outings.

Meanwhile, Sitra’s Abdulwasi Al Matari scored their winner against Ahli in the fourth minute of second-half stage time. Al Matari fired the ball in with a brilliant volley.

His shot came off a a fine cross from the right, and he unleashed a powerful shot that flew past Ahli’s national team goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfhallah and into the net.

It was an upset victory for Sitra, who headed into the match in second-to-last place.

But their three points propelled them all the way to the top half of the table in sixth place, having improved to 16 points, tied with both Manama and Hala, who faced off in another fixture yesterday.

Ahli suffered their fourth loss and remained on 21 points.

They kept their place in fourth on the standings. Following Manama’s stalemate with Hala, they both improved to 16 points with Manama ahead of them on the rankings on goal difference.

Manama had their fourth draw while Hala registered only their first