Riffa Snatch Late Winner as Budaiya Continue Climb

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Matchweek 12 of the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League opened with late drama, as Riffa edged Al Najma 2-1 at Bahrain National Stadium, while Budaiya continued their rise with a 3-1 victory over Al Shabab at Khalifa Sports City.

Riffa opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Wellington Moreira’s low free kick was spilled by Al Najma goalkeeper Ammar Mohammed, allowing Vinicius Vargas to react first and tap into an empty net from close range. Al Najma responded immediately after the restart through Achraf Douiri. The Dutchman curled a precise free kick from a tight angle on the left wing around the wall, catching Riffa goalkeeper Dziugas Bartkus at his near post to level the score.

The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute. Vargas launched a sensational counterattack from inside his own half, skipping past defenders before his close-range effort was saved. Al Najma failed to clear their lines, and when the ball was swung back into the box, Samuel Toscas rose highest to head home despite the goalkeeper charging out.

At Khalifa Sports City, Budaiya produced a strong second-half performance to beat Al Shabab 3-1. A first-half penalty appeal was waved away after VAR review, before Budaiya broke the deadlock straight after halftime. Kablan N’Goma’s cross caused confusion in the Shabab box, and Daniel Asante produced an acrobatic backheel volley that struck the crossbar on its way in. Asante then got his brace in the 60th minute, meeting Clement Ogbobe’s through ball and slipping a low finish inside the near post. Al Shabab pulled one back six minutes later when Hussain Al Qassab met Mujtaba Hussain’s low cross with a first-time finish from close range.

Budaiya sealed the result in the 80th minute as a poorly cleared corner fell to Hamad Fuad, who finished calmly from a few yards out.

The results move Riffa up to second on 27 points, level with leaders Al Khaldiya, who have a game in hand. Budaiya climb to fifth on 15 points, while Al Najma remain 10th and Al Shabab stay bottom on goal difference Matchweek 12 continues today, with Al Khaldiya facing A’ali and Al Malkiya taking on Al Hidd at 7 PM.