Riffa held by Hidd

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

League leaders Riffa were held to a goalless draw by bottom club Hidd last night as the 13th week of action got underway in the 2023/2024 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.

Also last night, Busaiteen powered past East Riffa 3-1 while Al Shabab won 2-1 against Al Najma.

Hidd, Busaiteen and Shabab headed into yesterday’s play as the last three teams on the league standings.

They all came away with positive results despite their recent struggles. In Riffa’s stalemate with Hidd, both sides had chances to score throughout the contest, but neither could find the finishing touch.

Farhan Salama came close in the 70th minute for Hidd with a fine effort from distance that hit the crossbar. Riffa’s Vinicius Vargas Dos Santos replied the very next possession with a shot that went over the crossbar.

With neither team finding the net the rest of the way, the both came away with a share of the points.

Riffa improved to 26 in first place following only their second draw in 12 matches, while Hidd went to nine points with their third draw in 13 outings.

In Busaiteen’s win, Faisal Haddadi put them ahead in 20th minute, heading the ball in off a rebound following a freekick that hit the left post.

Issa Moussa then made it 2-0 three minutes from half-time, firing in a brilliant left-footed effort from inside the box.

After the re-start, Busaiteen applied the nail in the coffin with a goal in the 58th minute.

Dylan Ozan Moyo Bahamboula scored following an error from East Riffa goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem, whose goal-kick was poorly hit as he came off his line.

It went straight to Bahamboula, who sent a high ball that flew over the head of Salem into an empty net.

East Riffa got a lone consolation towards the end of the contest with a goal by Thiago Augusto Fernandes from the penalty spot.

With the result, Busaiteen claimed only their third win of the season, as they improved to 14 poitns from 13 matches.

East Riffa suffered their sixth loss and stayed on 15 in mid-table. Meanwhile, in Shabab’s win, they had a dream start after scoring with only three minutes elapsed.

Mateus Eduardo Inforsatti Araujo scored from the face of goal off a right corner-kick. Shabab then doubled their advantage in the 64th minute when Araujo scored from inside the area.

Najma reduced the deficit in the 84th minute with a penalty kick, converted by Florian Pascal David. Like Busaiteen, Shabab went to 14 points with their third win, while Najma were handed their fifth loss and stayed on 15. League action continues tonight with another three matches on the cards.

The big contest of the evening pits defending champions Al Khaldiya against Muharraq, while in other games top-four side Al Ahli take on Sitra and Manama play Al Hala.

All three games are scheduled for 7.15pm kick-offs.