Conceicao strike earns Najma first win

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Rickson Barbosa Sa da Conceicao struck a brilliant late free-kick to give Al Najma their first win of the 2026-27 Nasser bin Hamad Premier League, securing a 1-0 victory over Al Malkiya last night.

The Brazilian midfielder, one of Najma’s new signings for the campaign, settled a tight contest at Al Ahli Club Stadium after the sides had gone into the interval scoreless.

Conceicao broke the deadlock in the 85th minute with a free-kick from just outside the penalty area, sending the ball over the wall and towards the bottom corner. Malkiya goalkeeper Sayed Ali Mohammed got a hand to it but could not keep it out.

The goal rewarded Fethi Laabidi’s men for a stronger attacking showing, with Najma enjoying 61 per cent of possession and registering 11 attempts, four on target, compared with Malkiya’s four efforts.

It was a welcome response after their 7-2 defeat to Al Khaldiya in the opening round, moving them onto three points from two matches.

Malkiya, coached by Alvaro Jose Rodriguez, remain bottom of the early standings without a point following back-to-back defeats.

At the National Stadium, East Riffa and Sitra played out a scoreless draw, with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Hisham Al Mahoozi’s men came closest five minutes after the restart when substitute Rabeem Daniel delivered a cross from the left for captain Talal Al Sherooqi, who headed into the net. The effort was ruled out for offside.

East Riffa recorded four shots on target to Sitra’s one as they collected their first point since returning to the top flight.

The result leaves Hassan Sayed Isa’s Sitra top of the early standings on four points.

Matchweek two continues tomorrow at 7pm, with Al Khaldiya facing A’ali at the National Stadium and reigning champions Muharraq taking on newly promoted Al Ettifaq at Al Ahli Club Stadium.

The round concludes on Saturday, when Hidd meet Al Ahli at the National Stadium and Manama face Riffa at Al Ahli Club Stadium; both matches also kick off at 7pm.