BAHRAIN’S Riffa were 2-0 winners over Jordan’s Al Jazeera last night in the AFC Cup.
The match was played at Amman International Stadium and the Bahrainis were able to come away with their first win of the tournament.
Goals from Ali Haram and Mohammed Salih Soulah were enough to settle the clash. They scored on either ends of the match, with Haram heading home just seven minutes in and Soulah scoring in the first minute of added time.
With the result, Riffa join Kuwait’s Qadsia SC and Oman’s Dhofar Club on three points each, while Al Jazeera remain without a point after two games.
Riffa had lost to Qadsia in their opening fixture earlier this month, but did well to bounce back last night against the Jordanians.
The Bahrainis wasted no time in taking the game to Al Jazeera, and within seven minutes they were celebrating.
Star midfielder Mohammed Marhoon sent in a cross from the right wing that Jazeera goalkeeper Noureddin Zaid attempted to punch away, but only managed to push it onto the path of Haram, who was quick to react as he headed the ball into the back of the net.
Both sides were limited to a few chances from outside the box for the remainder of the first half.
In the final 45 minutes, Jazeera pressed hard to level the scores but Riffa goalkeeper Sayed Shubar Alawi was up to the task.
Soulah then came on as a substitute and put the game beyond doubt in the 91st minute. He took on three Al Jazeera defenders, and then unleashed a left-footed attempt. His effort was deflected off a defender, leaving goalkeeper Zaid stunned and helpless as the ball made its way into the goal.
Riffa will be looking to continue their winning ways when they play Dhofar Club of Oman in their next game on March 9. It will be a home match at the Khalifa Sports City stadium in Isa Town.
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