FOOTBALL – DEFENDING champions Muharraq escaped with a thrilling 1-1 draw against fellow-title hopefuls Riffa last night in matchweek 16 of the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Brazilian professional Arther Rodrigues Rezende equalised with a late penalty in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time after Serbian professional Dejan Georgijevic was on target for Riffa earlier in the game.
Both teams were reduced to 10 men after Rezende’s spot kick following an altercation between players from both sides.
Muharraq’s Abdulla Alkhalasi and Riffa’s Ahmed Abdulhameed Hasan were both given their marching orders for their roles in the scuffle.
With the share of the points, Muharraq climbed to solo first place on the league table, while Riffa remained in the top three.
Also yesterday, Sitra defeated Budaiya 3-0 at the National Stadium in Riffa.
Yaya Al Hadj Ousman netted a brace to help lift his side to the full three points, while Kari Kari Aristophane added their third goal.
Both of last night’s fixtures were briefly halted – as per the guidelines issued by the Bahrain Football Association – when an alarm siren went off with about a quarter-hour remaining in each contest.
Play resumed when it was determined by the match referee and commissioner that it was safe to return to the pitch.
In Muharraq’s late draw, Riffa appealed for a penalty in the 13th minute when Vinicius Vargas dos Santos was brought down in the box by Amine Benaddi, but no spot kick was given.
Muharraq’s veteran goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar then made a brilliant save in the 41st minute on a shot by Georgijevic that was on target from inside the area.
After the break, Riffa took the lead in the 54th minute when they took advantage of a defensive blunder by Muharraq’s Gervasio Olivera Fernandez.
He attempted a weak back-pass to Jaafar which was intercepted by Georgijevic, who then fired home with his first touch.
Jaafar later prevented Riffa from doubling their lead in the 63rd minute when he stopped a low effort by Brazilian Rodrigo Yuri Pires Franca.
Riffa’s Ali Madan also nearly scored with a stunner from distance three minutes later, but his shot hit the crossbar.
Muharraq were awarded their penalty in the 89th minute when Hasan stepped on the foot of Muharraq’s Edimar Ribeiro da Costa Junior in the area.
Rezende stepped forward to take the shot, and he sent it home into the bottom-right corner of goal past Riffa’s Lithuanian custodian Dziugas Bartkus.
Muharraq improved to 37 points atop the standings and are now one ahead of Al Khaldiya, who have a match in hand. Riffa went to 34 points to stay within striking distance of first place.
Meanwhile, in Sitra’s triumph, Ousman gave them a dream start when he opened their account in just the third minute.
He made the most of a gaffe by Budaiya goalkeeper Mohammed Ahmed Alshaikh, whose clearance attempt was partially deflected by Osman.
He eventually slotted home after receiving an assist from Bakaye Wade on the ensuing loose ball.
Sitra then made it 2-0 in the 18th minute when Ousman headed home off a corner kick, and then Aristophane then pegged the final score with a goal in the 86th minute for Sitra.
Sitra claimed a much-needed fourth win of the season as they improved to 18 points but remained in the bottom half of the standings.
Budaiya are also on 18 points after suffering their eighth defeat.
Matchweek 16 continues tonight and tomorrow.
This evening, Khalidya lock horns with lowly Bahrain Club at Khalifa Sports City Stadium while Hidd and Al Najma battle at the National Stadium.
Tomorrow, Malkiya and A’ali go head-to-head at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, and Al Ahli take on Al Shabab at the National Stadium.
All four games are scheduled for simultaneous 9.30pm kick-offs.
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