FOOTBALL – BUDAIYA rallied from two goals down to claim a stunning 3-2 victory over Al Ahli last night in their matchweek 11 contest of the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Budaiya conceded two goals in the opening half at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town but then roared back with three strikes after the break – all within a game-changing 13-minute span – to come away with the hard-earned result.
Abdulla Al Hashash opened the scoring in the fifth minute for Ahli after tapping home from the face of goal, and then Cameroonian teammate Fabrice Badouidana Onana scored from an acute angle in the 18th minute.
But after the re-start, Budaiya raised their play and got their first goal in the 64th minute when Abdulrahim Sawadogo scored with a short volley off a cross from the right. They then drew level in the 74th when Brazilian Adriano Soares Filgueira hit a turning shot from the edge of the box. They then powered ahead just three minutes later with a Daniel Asante goal following a short pass from Sawadogo following some fine approach play.
With the result, Budaiya claimed only their third win of the season as they improved to 12 points – tied with Ahli, who suffered their fifth loss.
In another league fixture last night at the National Stadium in Riffa, Hidd defeated 10-man Al Shabab 2-0.
Jordanian Mohammad Ahmad Aleikish scored in the 31st minute from inside the area and then Algerian Oussama Bellatreche added a 70th-minute penalty after Aleikish was fouled in the box, which led to the sending-off of Shabab defender Abdulrahman Ali.
Hidd won only their third game as they improved to 13 points, while cellar-dwellers Shabab suffered their seventh defeat as they remained on six points.
League action continues today and tomorrow with two games on schedule on each day. This evening, leaders Al Khaldiya take on Al Najma at the National Stadium at 4.25pm, followed at 7pm by Riffa facing off with Bahrain Club at Khalifa Sports City Stadium. Tomorrow, defending champions Muharraq clash with A’ali at 4.25pm at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, and then Malkiya face Sitra at the National Stadium at 7pm.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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