Aali Win While Al Najma Denied Late

TDT | Manama

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After a break of more than two weeks, the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League resumed last night with Matchweek 17, delivering late drama and key points at both ends of the table.

At Khalifa Sports City, Aali claimed a 2-1 victory over Bahrain Club to continue their push up the standings under head coach Vinicius Eutropio. Hassan Omar gave Aali the lead in the 24th minute after Jassim Khelaif, who had come on as an early substitute, picked him out. Khelaif drove forward on the counterattack and found Omar in space, and the forward skipped past his marker and guided a low finish beyond goalkeeper Ali Habeeb.

Aali doubled their advantage in the 36th minute when Brazilian Matheus Almeida worked his way through a crowded area on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner. Eutropio’s side appeared in control for much of the contest, but Bahrain Club set up a tense finish late on.

With two minutes remaining, Mateus Toto reduced the deficit from the penalty spot after a VAR review awarded the spot kick. Alvaro Cardoso was penalised when his trailing hand caught his opponent in the face while contesting a header, and Toto converted to make it 2-1. Aali were then reduced to ten men when Sekou Kaba was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Mohammed Khalid, though they held on to secure the points.

The result lifts Aali to fourth place on 25 points, marking a notable step in their campaign. Bahrain Club remain rooted to the bottom with seven points after a 14th defeat of the season, leaving them in serious danger of relegation.

Elsewhere, Mohammed Alshamlan’s Al Najma were denied victory in stoppage time as they drew 1-1 with Al Shabab at Bahrain National Stadium.

Al Najma took the lead in the 26th minute through Ali Aldoseri, who finished off a wellworked move he had helped to start. Saleh Alzubaidi produced a clever Cruyff turn on the byline to beat his marker before delivering across goal, where Aldoseri was on hand to tap in.

Al Shabab thought they had equalised in the 35th minute when Nigerian Daniel Omokhoa found the net, but the effort was ruled out following a VAR check for offside. They continued to press and eventually found their breakthrough deep into added time.

In the 95th minute, a long ball from Abdulrahman Ali caused chaos in the box, and a failed clearance fell kindly to substitute Adnan Tariq, who finished to secure a point.

The draw leaves Al Najma in eighth place on 19 points, while Mohammed Almuqla’s side remain 11th on 11 points and still facing a difficult battle to avoid relegation.

Matchweek 17 continues tonight with reigning champions Muharraq facing Sitra at Khalifa Sports City at 5:15 PM, followed by Budaiya against Al Hidd at Bahrain National Stadium at 7:30 PM. The round concludes tomorrow with league leaders Al Khaldiya taking on Riffa at Bahrain National Stadium at 5:15 PM, and later Al Ahli face Al Malkiya at 7:30 PM at Khalifa Sports City.