FOOTBALL – TITLE contenders Al Khaldiya escaped with a late 2-1 victory over a battling Malkiya last night in matchweek 15 of the 2025-26 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Gleison Wilson Moreira fired in the winner two minutes from full time after DR Congo teammate Joel Beya Tumuteka put Khaldiya ahead before Nigerian professional Cyril Chinedu Olisema equalised for Malkiya.
With the result, Khaldiya drew level atop the table with defending champions Muharraq on 36 points apiece following their league-best 12th win so far this season. The pair remained three points ahead of Riffa in an exciting three-horse race for the crown that is expected to go down to the wire.
Malkiya suffered only their fourth loss and they stayed right behind the leading trio on the standings with 23 points.
Khaldiya were first on the scoreboard last night after Tumuteka scored in the 16th minute. He headed in from close range off a cross from the right supplied by Nizar El Otmani. Tumuteka made no mistake with his effort after El Otmani’s brilliant playmaking, sending the ball past Malkiya custodian Godwill Chia Ndang.
Malkiya replied in the 36th minute when Olisema fired in after a mad scramble in the face of goal. Teammate Ahmed Muslem Habib sent a cross into the six-yard box from the right and it was not cleared by the Khaldiya defence. Olisema pounced on the opportunity and he sent the two teams into the locker rooms deadlocked at 1-1.
After the break, both sides had multiple chances to gain the advantage, but it was Khaldiya who finally broke through in the 88th minute.
Moreira delivered their winner from close range following a cross from the left by Moroccan import Saif-Eddine Bouhra. The pass was not collected by a leaping Ndang, who fumbled the ball, and Moreira took advantage and netted home from seven yards to seal Khaldiya’s win.
Deep into second-half injury time, Malkiya appealed for a penalty after claiming Khaldiya’s Aymane Dairani, also from Morocco, handled the ball in the area. But despite their pleas with the match referee, no spot kick was given.
With last night’s result, Khaldiya joined Muharraq, Al Ahli, Riffa, and Al Shabab as winners so far from matchweek 15.
Today is a rest day and the round’s schedule wraps up tomorrow night with one more fixture on the cards. Mid-table club Hidd go up against struggling Sitra at the National Stadium in Riffa. The contest is scheduled for a 9pm kick-off.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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