Shabab stun Khalidiya; Muharraq held by Malkiya

Winning streaks snapped in matchday 3 of NPL

Al Khaldiya’s nine-point start ended with a 1–0 defeat to Al Shabab at Khalifa Sports City. Khalidiya had reached the game after narrow 1–0 league wins and a 0–0 draw in the AFC Champions League, but their backline could not contain a Shabab counter shortly after the break.

Hussain Al Qassab drove forward, found Stephane Binong, whose wobbling first touch did not prevent him recovering to slot a low volley into the far corner for the only goal.

Khalidiya starting XI: Hamad Al Doseri; Sayed Dhiya Saeed; Ahmed Bughammar; Mousa Coulibaly; Ayoub El Amloud; Hazza Ali; Dominique Mendy; Komail Al Aswad; Saifeddine Bouhra; Gleison Moreira; Joel Beya.

Al Shabab starting XI: Mahmood Al Ajmi; Hussain Al Qassab; Ahmed Kamil; Mujtaba Abdali; Stephane Binong; Ali Redha Isa; Mahmood Al Kayssoumi; Abdulrahman Ali; Alaa Anas; Abdullahi Abdulrahman; Chikamuso Okechukwu.

Champions Drop Points

Muharraq were held 1–1 by Al Malkiya at the Bahrain National Stadium. Malkiya struck first in the 14th minute when Mohammed Al Faleh met a headed knock-on from Mohammed Salem and unleashed a volley past goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla. Celebrations spilled into a scuffle and Muharraq substitute Hussain Jameel, who had not started, was sent off from the bench.

Fahad Al Asmari was also shown red for Al Malkiya in first-half stoppage time for a late challenge on Waleed Al Hayyam. With just over 20 minutes remaining Juninho levelled for Muharraq — he chested Abdulkarim’s cross and half-volleyed into the near post. 

Muharraq starting XI: Ebrahim Lutfalla; Waleed Al Hayam; Amine Benaddi; Mohamed Al Hardan; Soufiane Mahrouk; Hanan Abdulwahab; Gervasio Olivera; Mohamed Al Banna; Juninho; Arthur Rezende; Elliot Simoes.

Al Malkiya starting XI: Goodwill; Ahmed Muslim; Qassim Habib; Samuel Sarfo; Hassan Isa; Mohammed Salem; Mohammed Alfaleh; Cyril Olisema; Fahad Al Asmari; Nani; Abdulhalim Abbo.

Standings and Context

Thursday’s action saw both games end in stalemates, with Riffa held by Hidd (0–0) and Najma and Sitra also sharing the points (0–0). After yesterday’s results, Muharraq remain top of the table with two wins and a draw, while Khaldiya drop to second on six points after their first defeat. Malkiya are in fifth with a win and two draws, and Shabab move up to seventh with one win, one draw, and one loss.

The Nasser bin Hamad Premier League continues today with A’ali facing Al Ahli and Budaiya taking on Bahrain SC, both fixtures kicking off at 7pm.