Riffa Close in on Leaders at NPL Summit

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The Nasser bin Hamad Premier League delivered another compelling matchday yesterday, with stoppage-time drama and early strikes tightening the race across the table and keeping pressure on the sides above.

At Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium, Al Najma were 2-1 winners against Bahrain Club, snatching all three points deep into stoppage time. After a goalless first half, the deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion in the 48th minute when Hussein Riffai unleashed a stunning low strike from over 30 yards. The shot skipped off the turf late, wrong-footing Bahrain Club goalkeeper Abdulghafoor Shah on its way into the net.

Bahrain Club thought they had responded on the hour mark through a brilliant Sami Al Husaini volley, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review in the build-up. Their persistence finally paid off in the 81st minute when Gabriel Monteiro Vasconcelos slipped a clever pass into the box for compatriot Gabriel da Silva Oliveira, who finished first time to level the contest.

Just as Bahrain Club looked set to leave with a point, Al Najma struck in the 97th minute. Achref Douiri floated a free kick to the far post, Abdulla Nemer headed it back across goal, and Saud Hazza controlled with his chest before volleying into the corner to seal a dramatic win. The result lifts Al Najma to 12 points, while Bahrain Club remain rooted near the bottom.

Later at Bahrain National Stadium, Al Riffa produced a comfortable first-half display to defeat Malkiya 2-0 and strengthen their position near the summit. Vinicius Vargas opened the scoring in the fourth minute, rising above a crowded penalty area to power home a header from a perfectly delivered Rodrigo Yuri corner.

The lead was doubled ten minutes later when Rodrigo Yuri converted from the penalty spot after Ali Madan was brought down by a late sliding challenge from Sayed Mohammed Adnan. Malkiya were unable to recover, slipping to fourth on 18 points, while Riffa move up to second with 21, keeping leaders Al Khalidiyah firmly within sight as the title race gathers momentum.