Al Khaldiya registered a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Sitra last night in their week 11 clash of the 2024-25 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League.
Jordanian professional Nizar Mahmoud Al Rashdan and Bahrain international star Mahdi Abduljabbar were on target for the victors on either side of half-time.
The result earned the two-time defending champions their eighth win in 10 matches and they narrowed the gap at the top of the table to solo leaders Muharraq, who have played one game more.
In last night’s other league fixture, Riffa posted a 2-0 triumph against Bahrain Club.
Dutch talent Justin Mathieu and Algerian ace Samy Frioui supplied the goals for their side, one in each half.
Riffa claimed their fifth win in 10 games and returned to the top-half of the standings.
At the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town last night, Al Rashdan put Khaldiya ahead in the 34th minute with a header from close range off a Mahdi Humaidan free-kick. Humaidan delivered his pass from distance and Al Rashdan made no mistake with his attempt.
Khaldiya then doubled their advantage in the 59th minute following some fine approach play. Iraqi Dhurgham Ismail passed to Dominique Mendy on the left of the area, and Mendy sent in a low cross that was met by Abduljabbar, who tapped the ball in from the face of goal.
Khaldiya improved to 24 points on the table with the result – just two behind Muharraq. They also handed Sitra their third loss in 10 matches, and they stayed on 15 points.
Meanwhile, at the National Stadium in Riffa, Mathieu opened his team’s account in the 38th minute following a brilliant through pass from beyond the midfield fine, delivered by skipper and Bahrain international defender Hamad Shamsan. His pass released Mathieu for a one-on-one with Bahrain Club goalkeeper Sayed Mohsen Yousef, and he slotted home into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Frioui made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. He did well to create some space for his effort, which he unleashed with a powerful strike to the top-right of goal.
Riffa rose to 17 points on the table, tied with Al Najma and Al Malkiya but with a superior goal difference. Bahrain Club were handed their fifth loss and stayed on 12 points after 11 games.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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