Juninho Double Fires Muharraq Top Again

Malkiya Impress as Khaldiya Slip Again

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Week 4 of the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League concluded last night with two contrasting fixtures that told plenty about where the title race might be heading. At Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Al Khaldiya slumped to a 3–1 defeat against a spirited Malkiya, while defending champions Muharraq eased past Bahrain Club 2–0 at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium.

Frustration for Ashoor’s men

Khaldiya’s erratic start under Ali Ashoor showed no improvement, with the team starting struggling from the outset against Malkiya. They fell behind inside 15 minutes when Ayyob El Amloud turned a cross from Hassan Hilal into his own net as it was bound for Nani at the back post.

Malkiya could have doubled their advantage soon after. A clumsy challenge by Dominique Mendy gave them a penalty, but Mohammed AlFaleh saw his spot-kick saved brilliantly by Khaldiya keeper Ricardo Silva, who dived low to his right.

That miss proved costly. Just before the break, Saiffedine Bouha was tripped in the area, and Joel Beya kept his nerve from twelve yards to restore parity. Both sides traded half-chances in a scrappy second half until Malkiya struck again with 20 minutes left.

Moroccan midfielder Abdulhalim Abbou spotted Mohammed Salem unmarked and sent a defence-splitting pass through the middle. Salem raced clear and calmly slotted past Hamad Al Doseri to make it 3-1 to Malkiya and keep their unbeaten streak alive.

Champions in control

Over in Muharraq, the title holders looked every inch the champions. Nandinho’s men controlled the game well, with the in-form Edimar Ribeiro da Costa Juninho once again at the heart of everything.

The Brazilian forward opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, chesting down a perfectly weighted pass from Mohammed Hardan and rifling home a thunderous volley that left the goalkeeper rooted. Seven minutes later, the pair combined again as Hardan’s  delivery met Juninho’s glancing header, nestling low into the corner for 2–0.

The state of play

With four rounds gone, Muharraq lead the table with three wins and a draw. Riffa trail just behind after their 3–0 win yesterday, while Malkiya sit third with two wins and two draws. Al Khaldiya, inconsistent and unconvincing, have slipped to fifth with two wins and two defeats. Bahrain Club remain rock bottom and still searching for their first point of the season.

The league now pauses until Week 5 kicks off on October 17.