Muharraq Chase Leaders As NPL Returns

Spot-Kicks And Dismissals Decide Outcomes in Matchday 8

The Nasser bin Hamad Premier League resumed yesterday after its midseason pause, and the return immediately reshaped the title picture, with the leaders tightening their grip while the chasing pack stayed firmly in contention.

At Bahrain National Stadium, Al Khaldiya underlined their championship credentials with a 2-1 win over Al Hidd to move top of the table on 18 points from eight matches. After a cagey first half, the breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Joel Beya converted from the spot following a handball by Adnan Fawaz. The pressure continued, and Al Khaldiya doubled their advantage in the 65th minute. Komail Al Aswad released Saifedinne Bouhra down the wing, and as the Moroccan burst into the box, he was brought down by a late sliding challenge from Fawaz, conceding his second penalty of the night. Bouhra made no mistake from the spot to put the leaders firmly in control.

Al Hidd, who remain seventh on nine points, pulled one back deep into stoppage time when Oussama Belatrech converted a penalty after Baraa Marai’s header struck the arm of Gleison Moreira at close range. The goal, however, came too late to alter the result, as Al Khaldiya held on for three valuable points.

At Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Sitra and A’ali shared a 0-0 draw in a match shaped more by discipline than attacking quality. The stalemate leaves Sitra eighth with seven points, while A’ali sit ninth on six. A’ali were reduced to ten men in the 22nd minute when Ali Kamel was sent off following a VAR review for an accidental stamp. Numerical parity was restored in the 53rd minute when Sitra winger Othman Al Hajj was dismissed for catching a defender with an elbow while contesting a header.

Later at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Stadium, defending champions Muharraq kept the pressure on the leaders with a 1-0 win against Budaiya. The win lifts Muharraq to second on 17 points, just one behind Al Khaldiya, and with a game in hand still to play, while Budaiya remain sixth on nine. Hussain Abdulkarim struck the decisive goal in the 64th minute, reacting quickest after Juninho’s header was saved from an Arthur Rezende free kick.

The round continues today with Bahrain SC hosting Al Shabab at Bahrain National Stadium at 4:15pm, followed by Al Riffa facing Al Ahli at Khalifa Sports City Stadium at 7pm. Leaders Al Malkiya, third on 15 points, conclude the matchday on Sunday against Al Najma as the title race gathers pace.