FOOTBALL – TWO late goals within a seven-minute span leading into injury time lifted A’ali to a dramatic, come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Al Ahli last night in a matchweek 14 thriller in the 2025-26 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
After Portuguese professional Joao Vitor Maia put Ahli ahead with a short stab in the 28th minute, A’ali left it late to steal away the full three points from their opponents at The Late Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad.
Diego Cardoso Nogueira brought the match back on level terms with an equaliser in the 84th minute. He fired in from close range off a brilliant curling pass from teammate Matheus Lima de Almeida into the penalty area. Nogueira made no mistake with his single touch from inside the six-yard box, sending the ball home past Ahli custodian Sayed Shubar Alawi.
A’ali’s team members and fans then erupted into celebration when Brazilian Robson da Silva netted the winner in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time. Da Silva was brilliantly set up with a short pass by teammate Lyton Julius Ndukwu from the British Virgin Islands, and he delivered the knockout blow from a yard outside the area.
With the result, A’ali climbed to fifth place on the league standings with 19 points following their fifth win in 14 matches. They handed Ahli their seventh defeat as they remained on 15 points. Matchweek 14 concludes tomorrow when Sitra take on Al Najma at the same venue and Bahrain Club battle Budaiya at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
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