FOOTBALL – GLEISON Wilson Da Silva Moreira coolly converted a 100th minute penalty last night to lift Al Khaldiya to a thrilling 2-1 victory over A’ali to kick off round 10 in the 2024-25 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League.
The two-time defending champions were awarded the late spot kick when Moreira was fouled in the area. He stepped up to take the shot and sent it into the bottom-left corner of goal.
Earlier in the contest, played at the National Stadium in Riffa, Mohammed Al Rumaihi put Al Khaldiya ahead but Irish professional Clyde O’Connell levelled for A’ali soon after.
The result earned Khaldiya their league-best seventh win in nine matches and they climbed to the top of the table, leapfrogging former solo leaders Muharraq, whom they now lead by a point.
After a goalless first half and both teams heading into the final quarter-hour of regulation deadlocked, Khaldiya finally broke through in the 78th minute when Al Rumaihi headed in from close range. He rose above the A’ali markers and sent in a cross from the left delivered by Iraqi teammate Dhurgham Ismail.
But just eight minutes later, A’ali were back on level terms after O’Connell found the net off a cross from the right. That set the stage for an exciting finish. Thiago Augusto Fernandes appeared to have put Khaldiya back in front but his header was disallowed after it was confirmed that the ball had gone out of bounds prior to the assist that led to his goal.
Then, deep into second-half stoppage time, Khaldiya were given their penalty following a lengthy VAR check. Moreira was sandwiched in the box by Aali players Adeeb Olamide Yusuf and Ali Omar Kamel as all three made an aerial challenge for possession.
The penalty was given, and Moreira made no mistake with his effort.
Khaldiya improved to 21 points for first place on the league standings while handing A’ali their seventh loss in 10 outings as they remained second-from-bottom on just five points.
Meanwhile, in yesterday’s other fixture at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad, Shabab improved to third on the table with a resounding 3-1 triumph over Al Ahli.
Al Shabab opened their account in the fourth minute when Sayed Mahmood Almoosawi headed in from the goalmouth. They then doubled their lead in the 36th after taking advantage of some sloppy Ahli play, with Ali Mohamed Redha on target from just outside the six-yard box.
Ahli got one back in the 41st minute with an own goal by Almoosawi. Saleh Mohamed Alashban sent in a cross from distance and Almoosawi’s attempt to clear went in the wrong direction.
But Shabab were able to secure the three points only three minutes after the re-start when Moroccan Nizar El Otmani scored off a brilliant one-two with countryman Riad Idbouiguiguine.
Shabab claimed their fifth win in 10 tires and went to 17 points – behind only Khaldiya and Muharraq – while Ahli were handed their fifth loss and stayed on 12.
The 10th round of league play continues tonight and tomorrow. This evening, Bahrain Club face off with Manama while Al Najma take on Sitra. Tomorrow, Al Malkiya play Riffa and then Muharraq go up against East Riffa.
All four matches are scheduled for 7pm kick-offs.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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