Mahrouk’s Brace Boosts Muharraq Title Defense

TDT | Manama

Email : Hasan@newsofbahrain.com

Matchday 13 of the Nasser Bin Hamad Premier League continued last night with Muharraq delivering a comfortable 3–0 win over bottom side Al Shabab at Khalifa Sports City, keeping the pressure firmly on leaders Al Khaldiya.

The champions wasted little time asserting themselves and nearly struck inside 12 minutes when Tobares’ cross found Soufiane Mahrouk, whose effort crashed against the post, but the Moroccan winger would not be denied for long. Three minutes later, Arthur Rezende split the defence with a beautiful outside-of-the-boot pass, allowing Mahrouk to cleverly let the ball run across his body before finishing calmly. A brief VAR check for offside followed, but the goal stood.

Al Shabab struggled to respond, and Muharraq doubled their advantage early in the second half. In the 46th minute, Edimar da Costa flicked on a header from midfield, which Hussain Abdulkarim met with determination, outmuscling Chikamuso Okchukwu before stretching to prod the ball into the corner.

Nandinho’s side then sealed the result in the 70th minute as Mahrouk completed his brace. Algerian winger Samy Frioui broke down the flank and squared for the unmarked Mahrouk, who finished confidently to put the contest beyond doubt.

The result keeps Muharraq second on 30 points, level with Al Khaldiya but trailing on head-to-head, while Al Shabab remain rooted to the bottom of the table on six points.

Earlier at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium, Al Hidd and Bahrain Club played out a 1–1 draw. Oussema Belatrech gave Al Hidd an early lead in the sixth minute, controlling a long ball from deep before creating space and firing a superb strike into the right corner from outside the box.

Bahrain Club found the equaliser in the 71st minute through Jassim Mohammed. Captain Abdulla Al Zayed delivered a dangerous cross from the right, Sultan Al Salatneh’s sliding effort rattled the crossbar, and Mohammed rose highest to head in the rebound.

The draw leaves Al Hidd seventh on 15 points, while Bahrain Club sit 11th with seven.

Matchday 13 concludes tonight as Sitra face Riffa at Khalifa Sports City and A’ali take on Al Najma at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium, with both matches kicking off at 7pm.