Seventh Heaven for Champions Muharraq

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Matchday 15 of the Nasser Bin Hamad Premier League saw Muharraq respond emphatically to their Khalid bin Hamad Cup final disappointment, thrashing Bahrain Club 7–0 at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium. Portuguese head coach Fernando Manuel de Jesus Santos got the performance he demanded, moving the Red Wolves to 36 points, three clear of Al Khaldiya and Riffa, with a game in hand. Al Khaldiya can reclaim top spot on head-to-head if they defeat Malkiya tonight at Khalifa Sports City at 9pm.

Santos’ side set the tone immediately, scoring three quickfire goals inside the first 13 minutes. Algerian winger Sami Frioui opened the scoring in the fifth minute, finishing low from outside the box after a swift combination with Alkhalasi. Edimar Ribeiro da Costa doubled the lead four minutes later, reacting fastest to a rebound after his initial header from Elliot Simoes’ cross was saved. Simoes then completed the early treble in the 13th minute, finishing low from Alkhalasi’s pass after orchestrating the move himself.

The reigning champions’ dominance continued. In the 38th minute, Simoes struck from a cleverly rehearsed free-kick, the ball bouncing into the far corner to beat Bahrain Club’s defence. Just before halftime, Frioui set up Soufiane Mahrouk for a simple finish, making it five and cementing the Red Wolves’ control.

The second half brought further clinical finishing. In the 62nd minute, Simoes bursted down the left wing and delivered a low ball to the far post, where Malian winger was on hand Abdoul Diarra to tap in. The goal came moments after scenes of retired Brazilian striker Leandson Dias da Silva, better known as Rico, rallying the crowd and chanting to support his former team. Argentinian Facundo Tobares capped the scoring in the 82nd minute with a sensational strike from distance, bending the ball into the bottom corner and completing a dominant 7–0 display.

Elsewhere yesterday, Al Ahli secured a 1–0 victory over Al Najma at Khalifa Sports City. Fabrice Onana scored a stunning long-range goal in the first half, curling the ball off the post and into the top corner, which proved enough to decide the match. The win lifts Al Ahli to eighth place with 18 points, level with seventh-placed Al Najma. Matchweek 15 wraps up on Monday, with Al Hidd hosting Sitra at Bahrain National Stadium at 9pm, as the standings continue to take shape.