Ten-Man Khaldiya Strike Late to Boost Title Charge

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Matchweek 19 of the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League opened with fireworks yesterday, as Al Khaldiya came from behind to defeat Al Hidd 2-1 at Khalifa Sports City, while Sitra claimed a 2-0 victory over Aali at Bahrain National Stadium.

Al Khaldiya 2-1 Al Hidd

Al Hidd stunned the league leaders early, taking the lead in just the 4th minute when Bara’ Marei powered a header from Issa Mussa’s corner. The centre-back slipped away from his marker after a lapse in concentration from Al Khaldiya captain Dominique Mendy. Although goalkeeper Ricardo Silva got a hand to the effort, he couldn’t keep it out.

Al Khaldiya, coached by Lassad Al Chabbi, struggled to create clear openings before the break, while Al Hidd, under coach Shukri Al Bajawi, took a surprise half-time lead.

Al Khaldiya’s task became significantly harder just minutes after the restart when Mendy was shown a red card for an elbow on Ebrahim AlOuali.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Al Khaldiya gradually pushed forward. Joel Beya had a penalty appeal waved away in the 58th minute after a handball claim, before the breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute. Substitute Mohammed Al Romaihi met Saiffedine Bouhra’s corner with a deft header to level the match.

Stoppage time brought further controversy when Bouhra was brought down by goalkeeper Mohamed El Gharably, sparking confrontation between both benches. Joel Beya then calmly converted the penalty with a deceptive run-up to seal a 2-1 comeback win, his 11th goal of the season.

The result leaves Al Khaldiya five points clear at the top on 48 points with three games left, stengthening their title push, while Al Hidd remain sixth on 24 points.

Aali 0-2 Sitra

Under coach Ali Abdulmajeed, Sitra earned a valuable 2-0 away win over Aali at Bahrain National Stadium to lift themselves out of the relegation play-off zone.

Sitra broke through in the 68th minute when Maicon Douglas headed home Omran Elias’ cross from the left after a well-worked move, with the goal standing following a VAR offside check.

Aali’s hopes faded further in the 80th minute when Bekaye Wade produced a brilliant curling finish into the corner to double Sitra’s lead and secure all three points.

The win lifts Sitra to 8th place on 21 points, while Aali remain fifth on 25.

Matchweek 19 continues today, with Al Shabab facing Bahrain Club at Bahrain National Stadium at 7pm, while Al Malkiya take on Al Najma at Khalifa Sports City. The round concludes tomorrow, with Al Ahli meeting Riffa at Khalifa Sports City, before Muharraq face Budaiya at Bahrain National Stadium.