FOOTBALL – Defending champions Muharraq took solo first place last night while title hopefuls Riffa stumbled as matchweek 14 kicked off in the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Edimar Ribeiro da Costa Junior fired in the winning goal in the second half to help lift Muharraq to a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Malkiya at The Late Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad.
Riffa, on the other hand, were humbled by Hidd 0-3 at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
Muharraq and Riffa headed into yesterday’s ties tied with Al Khaldiya on the standings with 30 points apiece, but following last night’s results, Muharraq separated themselves from their two rivals, with Khaldiya having a game in hand.
Da Costa Junior was on target against Malkiya in the 59th minute with a brilliant volley.
The league’s leading scorer fired in from inside the area after Malkiya goalkeeper Godwill Chia Ndang punched away a cross from the left, delivered by Gervasio Olivera Fernandez.
Ndang’s clearance went directly to da Costa Junior, however, and he scored from near the penalty spot.
Da Costa Junior netted his 11th goal of the season, extending the gap from his closest rivals on the top scorers ranking.
Later in the game, Muharraq’s veteran custodian Sayed Mohammed Jaafar made a crucial diving save in the 74th minute to keep out a header by Malkiya substitute Mohamed Salem Mohamed from Mauritania inside the six-yard box.
That helped preserve Muharraq’s slim advantage, and they went on to claim their 10th win of the season as they improved to 33 points atop the standings.
Malkiya were dealt their third defeat of this campaign and they stayed right behind the top three on 23 points.
Meanwhile, three different players were on target for Hidd in their big win against Riffa. They were Adnan Fawaz, Tunisian professional Walid Karoui, and Jordanian import Mohammad Ahmad Aleikish.
Fawaz opened their account in the 18th minute with a stunning volley from the outside edge of the box that flew past Riffa goalkeeper Abdulkarim Fardan.
Fawaz’s shot came off a set-piece delivered by Karoui, and it was enough to put their team in front at the break.
Karoui the doubled Hidd’s advantage in the 64th minute. He scored with an impressive turning shot from inside the area following an assist from teammate Ahmed Moosa Hasan.
Karoui skillfully controlled the ball to set up his attempt, which he sent home with his second touch.
Hidd then got their third goal on a quick counter-attack in the 73rd minute. Hasan found an unmarked Aleikish in the box, and he drove in a low shot to seal their victory.
Prior to the final whistle, Hidd were reduced to 10 men after Abdulla Alajmi was given his marching orders following a second bookable offence on a late tackle against Riffa’s Ali Madan.
Hidd posted only their fourth triumph in 14 matches as they rose to 18 points for fifth place on the table. Riffa suffered just their second loss and they stayed on 30 points.
Matchweek 14 continues later this week on another three days. On Wednesday, Al Khaldiya face off with Al Shabab, followed by A’ali taking on Al Ahli on Thursday.
Then, on Saturday, two matches will be held, with Sitra taking on Al Najma and Budaiya playing Bahrain Club.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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