FOOTBALL – AL AHLI scored a resounding 3-0 victory against Bahrain Club yesterday to kick off the seventh week of action in the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Abdulla Al Hashash fired in a brace for the victors while Cameroonian teammate Fabrice Badouidana Onana supplied their other goal – all within a 10-minute span in the first half at the National Stadium in Riffa.
Al Hashash put his team in front in the 13th minute when he headed in from close range off a free-kick that was not dealt with by the opposing defence. He then doubled their lead in the 19th minute after tapping in from inside the six-yard box off a short cross from the left delivered by teammate Baqer Al Asfoor.
Onana then hit a stunning third for Ahli with a low volley from distance in the 23rd minute. His strike came off a clearance by the Bahrain Club’s Zambian defender Frankie Chisenga Musonda on an Al Asfoor cross, but the ball went straight to Onana who unleashed his effort from nearly 30 yards out.
Ahli were on target twice more after the break, but both strikes were ruled out due to offside infractions following VAR checks.
With the result, Ahli claimed their third win in seven matches as they improved to 11 points for a place in the top four. They handed Bahrain Club their league-worst sixth defeat as they stayed on three points at the bottom of the table.
Meanwhile, in another week seven fixture yesterday, Malkiya extended their lead to three points on the standings following a 1-0 win against Al Shabab at the Late Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad.
Tunisian Mohamed bin Al Taher Faleh scored the decisive goal in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time. He fired in from inside the penalty area with a left-footed volley off a lobbed pass. Malkiya went to 15 points atop the table with their fourth win – three ahead of current-second placers Al Khaldiya and four in front of defending champions Muharraq as well as Ahli. Shabab suffered their fourth defeat and remained on five points.
League action continues today and tomorrow with two matches each evening. Tonight, Al Najma face off with Budaiya at 4.20pm followed by Riffa taking on A’ali at 7pm. Tomorrow, Muharraq play Hidd and Khaldiya battle Sitra, both at 7pm.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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