Muharraq Stumble In Asian Opener

TDT | Manama

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Bahraini champions Muharraq began their AFC Champions League Two campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Turkmenistan’s Arkadag at Arkadag Stadium yesterday.

Mekan Saparow scored the only goal of the Group B encounter in the 52nd minute.

Before the breakthrough, the visitors had created the clearest opening of a goalless first half. Rijad Kobiljar raced onto Mohamed Al Hardan’s through ball in the 20th minute but sent his one-on-one effort just wide of the post.

The home side also threatened before the interval, with Vladan Dekic twice denying Altymyrat Annadurdyyew to keep the scores level.

The deadlock was finally broken seven minutes after the restart. Arzuwguly Sapargulyyev’s corner was not dealt with and bounced inside the area, allowing Saparow to generate power with a sharp flick of the neck and steer his header into the bottom-right corner.

The defeat leaves the Red Wolves without a point ahead of their next continental assignment against Iran’s Gol Gohar Sirjan at Bahrain National Stadium on October 14. The match kicks off at 7pm.

Meanwhile, Gol Gohar played out a goalless draw with the UAE’s Al Jazira in yesterday’s other Group B encounter. The top two teams from the four-team section will advance to the round of 16.

Focus now shifts to Bahrain’s other representatives, Al Khaldiya, who host Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in their Group A opener tonight.

Goran Tomic’s side kick off at 7pm at the National Stadium, looking to make a winning start on home soil.

Khaldiya earned their place after finishing one point behind Muharraq in last season’s Nasser bin Hamad Premier League title race. The UAE’s Al Wahda and Kuwait SC complete their continental group.

Both Bahraini clubs will be eager to improve on last season, when they finished third in their respective groups and missed out on the knockout stage.

The night also brought a change in the dugout for Muharraq, who announced Portuguese coach Helder Cristovao’s appointment moments after the final whistle.

Cristovao succeeds Isa Al Saadoon, whose second spell ended following a difficult start to the domestic season. Mohammed Adnan Ayoub had overseen the previous two matches on an interim basis.