Moreira Keeps Al Khaldiya Title Charge Alive

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Al Khaldiya delivered a statement of intent in the Nasser Bin Hamad Premier League with a dramatic 2–1 victory over Al Malkiya last night at Khalifa Sports City, a performance that signalled why they remain firmly in the title conversation. The reverse fixture last October had gone the other way, with Al Malkiya claiming a 3–1 win.

Under Tunisian head coach Lassad Al Chabbi, Al Khaldiya knew a win this time would restore them to the summit, and his side produced when it mattered most.

They started brightly, taking the lead in the 15th minute. Moroccan winger Nizar El Otmani escaped his marker down the right and whipped in a teasing cross to the far post, where Congolese striker Joel Beya guided his header across goalkeeper Godwill Chia Ndang and into the far corner.

However, Al Khaldiya’s intensity dipped after opening the scoring, becoming reliant on wide deliveries and allowing Al Malkiya to grow into the game. The equaliser came in the 35th minute from a set piece. A free-kick was headed into a dangerous zone by Ahmed Muslim, sparking a scramble in the box before Nigerian midfielder Cyril Olisima reacted fastest to slot the ball past Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo Silva.

Level at halftime, Al Khaldiya pushed after the break. Moroccan midfielder Saifeddine Bouhra surged down the right three minutes after the restart, sending a low cross for Anas Ouahim, whose first-time effort was well saved by Ndang. Moments later, a flicked corner fell invitingly to Ayman Dirani, on loan from Wydad Athletic Club, but he could not make clean contact from close range.

The breakthrough came in the 88th minute. Bouhra’s cross from the left was spilled under pressure by Ndang, allowing Brazilian forward Gleison Moreira to react sharply and finish with a controlled volley, sparking celebrations among the men in yellow. In the dying moments, Al Malkiya appealed for a handball by Dirani in the box, but after a VAR review, no penalty was awarded, denying Mahoozi’s side a last-gasp chance to equalise.

The win moves Al Khaldiya to 36 points, level with Muharraq and three clear of Riffa, leaving Chabbi’s side at the top courtesy of the head-to-head. Al Malkiya remain fourth on 24 points. Matchweek 15 concludes tomorrow with Sitra facing Al Hidd at Bahrain National Stadium at 9pm, rounding out the weekend’s action.