Al Hidd Stage Stunning Comeback Against Al Najma

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Al Hidd produced a breathtaking turnaround to secure a 3-1 win over Al Najma at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium yesterday, showing why they remain one of the title contenders in the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League. Al Najma had led for much of the match through Achraf Douiri’s 35th-minute opener. The left winger, calmly controlling Hussain Al Riffai’s floated pass, allowed the ball to settle before curling it past Mohamed ElGharably into the bottom corner — a goal that looked set to give the home side momentum.

However, the tide turned in the 72nd minute when Mauritanian winger Bekaye Wade showed blistering pace down the flank to deliver a perfect cross for striker Mohamed Al Akash to head home. Just four minutes later, Wade’s persistence paid off as he muscled past a defender to poke in a second, exploiting a bobbling ball inside the box. The coup de grâce came in the 87th minute when Abdulla Al Subaei, off the bench, weaved past defenders down the byline and squared for Jordanian Mohamed Al Eikish, who had the simple task of tapping in his brace.

The win sends Al Hidd to third in the table with nine points, keeping their unbeaten streak intact, while Al Najma remain anchored at 11th, still in search of their first three points of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Sitra and Budaiya played out a 1-1 draw at Khalifa Sports City in a match defined by moments of brilliance and controversy. Karl Namnganda had given Sitra the lead in the 24th minute after a long ball from Judá Aguiar da Silva bounced perfectly for him to finish past the Budaiya goalkeeper. Sitra were then reduced to ten men just before halftime when Abdulwasea Al Matari’s high foot caught Kablan Davy N’Goma, and Budaiya capitalised in the second half when N’Goma converted a penalty after a handball from Rodrigo Varanda. The result leaves Sitra in sixth with six points, though they could slip further depending on today’s fixtures, and Budaiya remain in ninth with five points.

Attention now turns to tonight’s fixtures as Week 5 continues today. A’ali host Malkiya at Khalifa Sports City, while Al Ahli face Al Shabab at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium, with both matches kicking off at 7 pm.