East Riffa and Al Malkiya both claimed crucial victories last night in the play-offs for two spots in the 2024-25 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League.
East Riffa scored twice in the second half and held on late for a hard-earned 2-1 victory against Hidd, while Malkiya battled back from a goal down to oust Al Ettihad 3-1.
The victories boosted their chances of securing their places in next season’s top flight as both East Riffa and Malkiya improved to four points on the play-offs’ standings. Hidd are also still in contention with three points, while Ettihad’s hopes for promotion have been dashed following their second defeat.
Only one match day remains in this four-team competition. It will be on Friday, when East Riffa take on Ettihad and Malkiya square off with Hidd. East Riffa and Hidd are hoping to stay in the kingdom’s premiership, while Malkiya are looking to make the step up.
In East Riffa’s victory, Thiago Augusto gave them the lead three minutes after the break following some erratic Hidd defending. Jassim Khelaif provided the assist as Augusto tapped in from inside the six-yard box.
Khelaif then got his name on the score sheet, converting a penalty in the 85th minute. East Riffa were awarded the spot kick after Hidd’s Salman Amin was called for a foul on Sami Al Hussaini as he was attempting a bicycle kick off a cross from Ahmed Mirza in the area.
Hidd got a goal back when Jacques Medina Iemopele scored with a penalty in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. He was clipped by East Riffa skipper Mohammed Duaij as he was attempting a volley.
East Riffa claimed their first win of the play-offs while handing Hidd their first loss.
Meanwhile, Ettihad’s Demba Diakhate put them ahead against Malkiya with a goal in the 23rd minute, and that was enough to head into the interval with the advantage.
But after the restart, Salman Mohammed equalised for Malkiya in the 63rd minute, and then Yousri Arfaoui put them in front 10 minutes later. Mohammed then sealed Malkiya’s first win of the play-offs and completed his brace in the 96th minute.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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