NPL Week 5: Champions Muharraq Aim to Extend Lead Over Riffa
TDT | Manama
Email: hussainm@newsofbahrain.com
Khaldiya Ready to Bounce Back Against Bahrain SC
Week 5 of the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League kicks off today with two fixtures that highlight contrasting ambitions. At 4:35pm, league leaders Al Muharraq face second-placed Al Riffa at Isa Sports City, while at 7pm, Al Khaldiya meet Bahrain SC at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium.
Few sides have looked as assured as Muharraq in the opening month. Nandinho’s side continued to set the pace with their 2–0 win over Bahrain SC last time out, which was a statement of the champions' intent. Edimar Ribeiro da Costa “Juninho” remains the league’s standout performer. His clever movement and natural finishing, combined with Mohammed Hardan pulling the strings behind him, have formed an almost telepathic partnership. The pair have already created four goals, showing why Muharraq top the table after four rounds.
Yet, Riffa arrive with quiet confidence after a 3–0 win over Budaiya, leaving them just two points off the summit. Their unbeaten run keeps them close to the leaders, and under Kuwaiti Mohammed Mashaan, they’ve found their edge from set pieces. Abdulla Al Hashash and Fabrice Onana have also both added strength and threat in attack. A win today would send them top of the table, but the question is whether they can carry that form against Muharraq, the league’s most balanced side.
Must-Win Night
Later in the evening, Al Khaldiya will look to recover from their 3–1 defeat to Malkiya. Despite flashes of promise from Joel Beya and Saiffedine Bouha, the team have struggled for rhythm and consistency.
Coach Ali Ashoor’s fifth-placed side now face bottom-placed Bahrain SC, a club mired in early-season trouble and desperate for confidence. Their four straight defeats and –10 goal difference tell the story, with the 4–1 loss to Budaiya particularly bruising, a match where defensive structure was lacking and heads dropped long before the final whistle. Still, there were glimpses of fight as Gabriel Monteiro’s tidy finish showed that, with service, Bahrain SC can threaten.
For Khaldiya, this fixture will feel like a must-win, not just for points but to restore belief. For Bahrain SC, it’s about damage control and rediscovering discipline.
NPL Week 5 fixtures
The round continues tomorrow as Budaiya face Sitra at 4:35pm at Khalifa Sports City, followed by Al Hidd against Al Najma at 7pm at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium. Sunday will wrap up Week 5, with A’ali meeting Malkiya and Al Ahli facing Al Shabab, both fixtures kicking off at 7pm.
The season is still young, but with the top and bottom already beginning to take shape, this weekend’s results could prove telling in setting the early tone of the campaign.
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