Sitra’s Gulf Campaign Ends in Defeat

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Sitra’s 2025–26 AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League campaign concluded with a 3-2 loss away to Iraq’s Zakho at Zakho International Stadium last night.

The Bahraini side had already been eliminated following a 1-0 defeat to Al Ain, leaving them bottom of Group A heading into the final match. Despite showing resilience in earlier fixtures, including draws against Al Qadsia and Zakho, Sitra could not secure a win and finished their campaign with two points from six matches.

In yesterday’s encounter, Zakho opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Aso Rostam. Sherko Kareem found space on the left and delivered a low cross into the box, brushing off pressure from Maicon Douglas. Rostam met the ball with a perfectly timed header into the corner, leaving Sitra goalkeeper Youssef Habib helpless. The goal set the tone, with a packed stadium and vocal home support creating an intimidating atmosphere.

The Iraqi side doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute. Rostam turned provider with a precise midfield pass splitting Sitra’s defence, and Amjed Kadhim ran onto it before calmly finishing into an empty net, exploiting Habib’s poor positioning.

Sitra responded in the 60th minute through Bruno Luiz. A swift counterattack saw Bekaye Wade beat his marker on the wing and send a low cross into the danger area. Abdulwasea Al Matari guided the ball across for Luiz, who finished first-time to make it 2-1.

Zakho restored their two-goal cushion in stoppage time with a penalty, awarded after a VAR review ruled Sitra’s Carlos Cavafe had not touched the ball in a challenge on Edilsom Borba De Aquino. Attwan converted to make it 3-1.

Sitra added a late consolation in the final moments. After another VAR review, Al Matari was taken down in the box and calmly converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-2, which proved to be the final act of the campaign.

With the result, Zakho secured top spot in Group A with 13 points and qualification to the next stage, while Kuwait’s Qadsia moved into second with 10 points after defeating Al Ain and also advanced to the knockout rounds. Al Ain finished third with 9 points, and Sitra remained bottom with two points.

The result closes Sitra’s Gulf Club campaign, marked by moments of promise but an inability to turn them into victories. Ali Abdulmajeed’s team now turns focus to the Nasser Bin Hamad Premier League to regroup for the remainder of the season.