Muharraq storm to ACL Two start

Bahraini clubs split results on debut

Muharraq began their 2025-26 AFC Champions League (ACL) Two campaign in style with a comfortable 4-0 win over Jordan’s Al Wehdat at the Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad.

Portuguese forward Elliot Jorge Simoes Inacio opened the scoring in the 18th minute, before Brazilian midfielder Arther Rodrigues Rezende doubled the lead with a long-range strike seven minutes later. In the closing stages, Lucas Morelatto added a third and an Ahmad Tha’er own goal in stoppage time sealed the win.

The result put Muharraq second in Group A behind Al Wasl of the UAE, who hammered Esteghlal of Iran 7-1 in Dubai.

Fellow Bahraini side Al Khaldiya, meanwhile, were forced to settle for a goalless draw away to Qatar’s Al Ahli SC. Despite creating late chances, most notably through Saudi forward Badar Bashir, Khaldiya could not find a breakthrough.

Both Bahraini clubs are among 32 teams from 22 member associations competing in ACL Two’s restructured format. The tournament sits just below the AFC Champions League Elite and above the AFC Challenge League.

Muharraq, winners of the competition in its former guise as the AFC Cup in 2008 and 2021, are participating in ACL Two for the first time. Khaldiya are returning for their second consecutive campaign.

Next up, Muharraq face Esteghlal in Tehran while Khaldiya host Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag in Riffa on October 1. The group stage runs until December 24, with knockout rounds scheduled for early 2026 and the final set for May 16.