Sitra Start Premier League with Statement Win

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League officially kicked off this week, with two matches on the opening night setting the tone for an exciting season. The league will be played in a double round-robin format, with the first 11 weeks running until January 8 next year, followed by 11 more match weeks yet to be scheduled.

On opening night, Sitra faced Bahrain SC at the National Stadium in Riffa, while Malkiya hosted Hidd at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad. Both fixtures kicked off at 7pm, marking the start of three consecutive days of topflight action.

Sitra Thrash Bahrain SC

Sitra were comfortable 4-1 winners against Bahrain SC in Riffa, but the game started off shaky for Isa AlSadoon’s men. Bahrain SC’s Patrick Maranhão put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute, only for Sitra’s Othman AlHaj to equalize nine minutes later with a toe-poke past goalkeeper Ahmed Abdulrasool.

Abdulwasi AlMatari converted a penalty to give Sitra the lead, then AlHaj scored his second through a towering header from a corner. The fourth goal came via Karl Namngand, who finished low into the corner from a well-placed cross, sealing the win.

Sitra’s starting XI featured Abbas Ahmed (GK), Carlos, Juda, Abdulwasi, Ali Nasser, Othman AlHaj, Rodrigo, Imran Elias, Emmanuel, Maicon, and Othman Asso.

In Arad, Malkiya and Hidd played out a 2-2 draw. Mohamed Al Falah opened the scoring on his club debut for Malkiya, calmly placing the ball into the far corner after a switch of play. Hidd responded late in the first half as Isa Hasan converted a penalty in nine minutes of stoppage time.

Bekaye Wade gave Hidd the lead in the 60th minute, but Malkiya’s Samuel Sarfo, also on his debut after joining from Saudi club Najran SC, scored a rebound in the 69th minute to level the contest.

Upcoming Fixtures

The league continues today with two matches kicking off at 5pm. At the National Stadium, Al Khaldiya take on A’ali, while defending champions Muharraq begin their title defence against long-time rivals Al Ahli at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Stadium.

Week one wraps up tomorrow with Al Shabab facing Budaiya at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium, and Al Najma meeting Riffa at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.