Bahraini Sides Share Points in AFC Champions League Two

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahraini clubs Muharraq and Al Khaldiya both came away with draws yesterday as the 2025/26 AFC Champions League 2 group stage resumed, leaving their campaigns finely poised heading into the final matches.

In Dubai’s Zabeel Stadium, Muharraq twice took the lead against Al Wasl FC but were unable to hold on, with the game ending 2-2. The visitors made a flying start when Juninho found the net in the 2nd minute, calmly slotting home a first-time finish after Elliot Simoes’ perfectly weighted through ball sliced through the UAE side’s defence. Al Wasl responded late in the first half when Nicolas Gimenez converted a penalty in stoppage time after Ahmad Khaled Ali fouled Matheus Saldanha in the area, drilling his spot-kick low to level the scores.

Muharraq regained the lead shortly after the restart as Simoes outpaced the Al Wasl defence, rounding goalkeeper Mohamed Ali to tap the ball into an empty net. The match remained finely poised until the 84th minute when Adryelson nodded in a corner to earn Al Wasl a point.

The result keeps Al Wasl 3 points clear at the top of Group A, while Muharraq remain second on 7 points. Meanwhile, in Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium, Al Khaldiya SC were held to a goalless draw by PFC Andijon. Khaldiya applied early pressure, with Anas Ouahim and Clyde O’Connell testing the Uzbek defence, but Erzhan Tokotaev produced a series of fine saves. Mohamed Al Romaihi hit the left post in the first half, narrowly missing what would have been the opener. Khaldiya continued to dominate possession in the second period, creating further chances through Ayoub El Amloud and Gleison, but Tokotaev remained resolute to secure a point for the visitors.

Both Bahraini sides now turn their attention to crucial final fixtures. Muharraq host Esteghlal on December 24, while Al Khaldiya travel to FK Arkadag on the same date. Victory in these matches will be essential if either side is to finish in the top two of their group and advance to the knockout stages.