Bahrain Clubs Exit AFC Champions League 2

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s AFC Champions League Two journey came to a disappointing close last night as both Muharraq and Al Khaldiya fell at the final hurdle, missing out on qualification for the Round of 16 on a decisive final matchday.

What began with optimism ended in frustration, as fine margins swung the balance against the Kingdom’s two representatives.

Esteghlal Dash Muharraq’s Hopes

Muharraq knew a positive result at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium would secure progression, but they were undone by clinical finishing and a costly second-half red card as Esteghlal claimed a 3–0 win to leapfrog them into second place in Group A.

The hosts started brightly in Arad, but against the run of play, Esteghlal struck in the 15th minute. Saleh Hardani’s low cross from the right bypassed the Muharraq defence, allowing Esmaeil Gholizadeh to stretch and slide the ball home from close range.

Muharraq continued to push but the turning point arrived on the hour when defender Waleed Al Hayyam received a second yellow card, leaving the Bahrain champions a man down.

Esteghlal made the advantage count late on. In the 82nd minute, Duckens Nazon muscled his way through the defence before finishing across Sayed Jaafar, who was deputising for injured first-choice goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla. Five minutes later, Jasir Asani sealed the result with a superb curling finish from the right.

Esteghlal advanced on eight points, while Muharraq finished third, a single point short.

Arkadag Edge Al Khaldiya 

Al Khaldiya’s hopes also ended in Turkmenistan, where FK Arkadag came out 1–0 winners in foggy conditions to snatch second place in Group B.

The decisive moment came just before half-time when Shamammet Hydyrow’s long-range strike was spilled by Ricardo Silva. Although the goalkeeper blocked Yazgylych Gurbanov’s first attempt, the midfielder reacted quickest to score from the rebound.

Al Khaldiya pressed after the break and came close through Ayoub Elamloud and Velmyrate Ballakov, but Arkadag held firm to see out the win.

The result lifted Arkadag to seven points, one ahead of Al Khaldiya, who bowed out in third.

While the knockout stage beckons for others, Bahrain’s representatives exit the competition with performances that showed promise, but also the unforgiving nature of football at the highest Asian level.