FOOTBALL – Edimar Ribeiro Da Costa Junior fired in an injury-time winner to lift leaders Muharraq to a stunning 2-1 victory over two-time defending champions Al Khaldiya last night in the 2024-25 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League.
A Mohammed Al Rumaihi strike in the first half put Khaldiya in front but Ahmed Al Sherooqi equalised with 10 minutes to go in regulation.
That set the stage for Da Costa Junior’s end-game heroics. His goal off an Al Sherooqi assist completed Muharraq’s thrilling comeback, and he made amends for earlier missing a cheeky penalty attempt.
The result helped Muharraq extend their lead atop the league table to nine points from Khaldiya following the 16th round of the season.
In other games yesterday, East Riffa held Sitra to a 1-1 stalemate while Al Ahli defeated bottom-of-the-table Manama 1-0.
In Muharraq’s win last night at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, Khaldiya struck first when Al Rumaihi scored in the 35th minute. Fellow-Bahrain international Mahdi Humaidan delivered a fine assist and Al Rumaihi created enough space against Muharraq defender Amine Benaddi to slot home past Ebrahim Luthfallah.
Minutes after the hour mark, Muharraq were awarded a penalty after Da Costa Junior was fouled in the box by Khaldiya skipper Sayed Dhiya Saeed. Da Costa Junior stepped forward to take the spot kick himself, but his weak and hurried effort was saved by Khaldiya custodian Mohamed Elgharably.
Da Costa Junior was then involved in Muharraq’s equaliser in the 80th minute. He hit a shot that was parried away by Elgharably, but the rebound when straight to Al Sherooqi, who was in the right place at the right time. Al Sherooqi then slotted home with a single touch and with Elgharably still on the ground having yet to recover his position following his save.
Da Costa Junior then won the game for Muharraq in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time. He fired in a short volley off a precision cross from the left sent in by Al Sherooqi.
It was enough to settle the affair for the league’s leading scorer, who bought his goal tally to 15 so far this season.
Muharraq rose to 41 points following their 13th triumph in 16 outings, while Khaldiya lost for the fourth time and remained on 32 points in second place.
Meanwhile, at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad, Sitra missed a chance to take the full three points in their 1-1 impasse with a rejuvenated East Riffa.
Sitra went ahead in the 12th minute following a mistimed pass by their opponents. Soungalo Issa Bahayoko stole possession and charged towards the box. He then played an unselfish one-two with Yaya Al Hadj Ousman, who scored from the face of goal.
East Riffa were then gifted their goal eight minutes from full time after Nigerian defender Imran Ilyas Adam inadvertently guided in a cross from Brazilian Walisson Alex Souza Silva.
With the share of the points, Sitra went to 27 and remained in fourth place, a point behind Riffa, while East Riffa improved to 12 points although remained second-from-last.
In last night’s other fixture at the National Stadium in Riffa, an Abdulla Al Hashash goal in the 68th minute gave Ahli their 1-0 win over 10-man Manama.
An attempt by Brazilian teammate Juda Aguiar Da Silva was deflected, and the ball went to Al Hashash’s path. He made the most of the opportunity, slotting home from just outside the six-yard box.
In the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time, Manama’s Ebrahim Al Khattal was shown a direct red card for elbowing Ahli’s Yemeni professional Rami Al Wasmani on the head.
Ahli went to 20 points to climb the standings while Manama stayed last on 10 markers following their 10th loss.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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