FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN’S Sitra fell to a disheartening 0-1 defeat against Al Ain of the UAE last night in their penultimate fixture of the preliminary round in the 2025-26 AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League.
Jonas Naafo scored the lone goal of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) contest, which took place at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, and Sitra were unable to find their target.
Naafo fired in the late winner in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time, sending the ball home with a stunning bicycle kick from just inside the penalty box. His brilliant effort flew past Sitra custodian Yusuf Habib, who tried to make a leaping save but was unsuccessful.
The result was Sitra’s third loss in five outings as they stayed on two points in last place on the Group A table. Al Ain secured their third win in five games and improved to nine points in second place.
Sitra are scheduled to complete their schedule in the preliminaries away against Zakho from Iraq on Wednesday next week.
Sitra are competing in this year’s AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League after finishing an impressive third amongst 12 clubs in the 2024-25 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Group B in this opening stage of the eight-team tournament features Al Shabab from Saudi Arabia, Al Nahda from Oman, Al Rayyan from Qatar, and Al Tadamun Hadramaut from Yemen.
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