Riffa upset leaders Muharraq 2-0 while defending champions Al Khaldiya outclassed Bahrain Club 3-0 last night during the eighth week of action in the 2024-25 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League.
Hussain Al Eker and Algerian professional Samy Frioui were on target on either side of half-time in Riffa’s hard-earned victory over their rivals, who were reduced to 10 men before the half, at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
An own goal by Bahrain Club then paved the way for additional strikes from Mahdi Abduljabbar and Ismaeel Abdullatif in Khaldiya’s resounding triumph at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad.
Yesterday’s results tightened the battle at the top of the league table. Muharraq remained in first place despite their loss, but Riffa came to within three points while Khaldiya are now just two points behind. They are all now in the top three heading into this evening’s last night of action in the eighth round.
In Riffa’s win, they went ahead in the 10th minute with an Al Eker header from close range. Brazilian teammate Wellington Machado Moreira delivered a free-kick from a quarter of the pitch and Al Eker rose above the Muharraq defence to send in Riffa’s opening goal.
Muharraq’s Brazilian midfielder Fabricio Isidoro Fonseca de Jesus was then given his marching orders two minutes prior to the break for a harsh tackle on Riffa’s Bahrain international star Ali Madan.
After the re-start, Riffa doubled their lead in the 63rd minute through Frioui. A header by Al Eker off a cross supplied by Hazza Ali was saved by Muharraq goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar. But Frioui was there for the rebound, which he tapped in from the face of goal.
Muharraq had their chances towards the end of the match but could not finish their opportunities.
With the result, Riffa claimed their fourth win in seven games and they improved to 14 points on the standings for third place. Muharraq stayed in first with 17 following their first loss of the season after eight outings.
Meanwhile, in Khaldiya’s win, they were gifted the advantage after Bahrain Club’s Brazilian defender Michel Darlyn Dias Rocha guided the ball into his own net off a cross from the right by Sayed Redha Isa.
The defending back-to-back champions then added to their account after the restart. Abduljabbar scored in the 66th minute from close range after a Mahdi Humaidan pass was deflected and the ball fell straight to the feet of Abduljabbar right in front of goal. He took full advantage and made it 2-0.
Substitute Ismaeel Abdullatif was then taken down in the box by Rocha in the closing minutes. Abdullatif dusted himself off to take the 92nd minute spot kick, which he sent to the bottom-left corner of goal to peg the final score.
Khaldiya posted their fifth win in seven matches and went to second place on the table with 15 points, while handing Bahrain Club their fourth defeat to stay on 10.
League action continues tonight with two more games to wrap up week eight. At Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Al Shabab and Manama lock horns while Al Najma take on Al A’ali at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium. Both games are scheduled for 7pm kick-offs.
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