Riffa Hit Four Past Al Shabab as Al Ahli Beat Sitra

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Matchweek 20 of the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League concluded yesterday with two contrasting results, as Riffa produced a dominant second-half display to defeat Al Shabab 4-0, while Al Ahli overcame Sitra 2-0 at the Bahrain National Stadium.

At Khalifa Sports City, Al Shabab actually began the brighter side, creating the better chances in a goalless first half. Their clearest opportunity came in the 41st minute when Daniel Omokhoa failed to convert a promising counterattack, a miss that proved costly as Riffa took control after the break.

Just one minute into the second half, Riffa broke the deadlock through Thiago Fernandes, who rose to meet Rodrigo Yuri’s cross and powered a header in off the crossbar in the 46th minute. That early goal shifted momentum firmly in Riffa’s favour. Mohamed Mashaan’s side doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Gabriel Monteiro struck his effort from inside the box after being set up by Wellington Moreira. Although goalkeeper Yousif Al Doseri got a hand to it, he could not keep it out.

Riffa’s dominance continued, with substitute Mohamed Hamdaoui adding a third in the 66th minute after a dazzling solo run ended with a composed finish into the bottom corner. Fernandes then completed the scoring in the 87th minute, reacting quickest after a scramble in the box to secure his brace and a convincing 4-0 win.

The result keeps Riffa third on 43 points, while Al Shabab remain deep in the relegation zone on 14 points.

At the Bahrain National Stadium, Al Ahli also impressed with a 2-0 victory over Sitra. Ali Abdulmajed’s side started strongly, hitting the post through Bekaye Wade and missing another clear chance via Bruno Bezerra. However, Al Ahli punished those missed opportunities in the 8th minute when Victor Oliveira finished from close range after Abdulla Al Hashash’s cross.

Goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar Alawi kept Al Ahli ahead with several key saves, including a strong stop from Abulwasea Al Matari. Sitra’s hopes suffered a major blow in the 54th minute when Ibrahim Jamal was sent off for an elbow on Oliveira.

Al Ahli capitalised soon after, with Al Hashash converting a tap-in in the 68th minute following a driving run and assist from captain Baqer AlAsfoor. The win lifts Al Ahli to sixth place on 26 points, while Sitra remain eighth on 21 points as the league table continues to tighten heading into the final stages of the season.