FOOTBALL – SITRA and Al Najma were both denied penalties in a goalless stalemate last night as the third week of action kicked off in the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
The two teams battled hard at the National Stadium in Riffa but neither could break the deadlock in a hotly contested affair.
In the 28th minute, Najma were awarded a penalty when Ali Aldoseri appeared to be brought down by Sitra goalkeeper Yusuf Habib Hasan as he charged into the box. But after a VAR check, the spot kick was cancelled.
Sitra’s Rodrigo Santos Varanda later had a great chance in the 63rd minute to put his team in front, but he fired just over the crossbar.
Najma goalkeeper Ammar Mohammed had a couple of good saves late on against Sitra’s Yemeni professional Abdulwasea Almatari and Brazilian import Maicon Douglas Goulart.
In the 77th minute, Almatari was brought down in the area by Najma’s Mohamed Eid Almatan, but another VAR review denied Sitra a spot kick.
With the result, Sitra improved to four points following their first draw of the new campaign to go with one win and a loss. Najma went to two points following their second stalemate to go with one defeat.
Meanwhile, Riffa’s match with Hidd at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town also ended nil-nil. Both teams rose to five points on the league table with their second draws in three games.
The league’s third match week continues today and tomorrow with two matches each day.
This late afternoon, defending champions and current table-toppers Muharraq face off with Malkiya at the National Stadium, while Al Khaldiya take on Al Shabab at Khalifa Sports City Stadium. Both games are scheduled for 4.45pm kick-offs.
Tomorrow, Budaiya and Bahrain Club clash at Khalifa Sports City Stadium while A’ali take on Ahli at the Late Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad. The two fixtures get underway at 7pm.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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