FOOTBALL – DEFENDING champions Muharraq powered to a resounding 3-0 victory over Sitra last night in their matchweek 17 clash of the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Three players were on target for Muharraq – all in the first half – including Brazilian professional Arther Rodrigues Rezende, Abdulwahab Al Malood, and Portuguese import Elliot Jorge Simoes Inacio.
The result put Muharraq back atop the table, leapfrogging former solo leaders Al Khaldiya, who have a game in hand which they will be playing tonight. Both sides are in an exciting three-horse race for this season’s title along with Riffa, who take on Khaldiya this evening in a titanic encounter.
In Muharraq’s win yesterday at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, Rezende opened their account in the 11th minute with a stunning free-kick from several yards outside the box. His well-hit effort took a deflection off Sitra’s Vincent Emmanuel, who was looking to make a headed clearance but instead helped guide the ball past Sitra custodian Omar Elsayed.
Al Malood then hit the right post just three minutes later and Rezende had another fine effort go just wide of the target in the 22nd minute.
Al Malood later doubled Muharraq’s advantage in the 24th minute after stealing possession away from a careless Emmanuel in Sitra’s own half. Al Malood charged towards goal for a one-on-one with Elsayed, and he chipped the ball over his opponent who came off his line to make it 2-0.
Muharraq got their third five minutes before half-time when Inacio guided the ball into the net from the face of goal. Teammate Soufiane Saeed Mahrouk delivered a cross from the right that was controlled by Samy Frioui on his chest. Frioui made enough contact to set up Inaco, who was positioned in front of him, and he made no mistake in converting from the edge of the six-yard box.
After the re-start, Muharraq’s Serbian goalkeeper Vladan Dekic made a stunning save on a 49th minute set-piece by Sitra’s Kari Kari Aristophane. Sitra had other chances to reduce the deficit but could not find the finishing touches.
Muharraq improved to 40 points with their 12th win in 17 games – one ahead of Khaldiya and six in front of third-placed Riffa. They handed Sitra a disappointing seventh loss as they remained on 18 points and are in danger of playing in the relegation play-offs.
In last night’s other game, Hidd defeated Budaiya 2-0 at the National Stadium in Riffa.
Algerian professional Oussama Bellatreche and Gambian import Jumai Jallow, both substitutes, scored for Hidd in the contest.
Bellatreche put them ahead in the 56th minute with a header from close range off a corner kick. He then supplied the assist for Jallow’s strike in the 89th minute, which came on a quick counter-attack.
With their sixth win of the campaign, Hidd improved to 24 points to climb to fifth on the standings. They gave Budaiya their ninth loss and they stayed on 18, also in danger of needing to compete in the relegation play-offs.
Round 17 of league action concludes tonight with Khaldiya’s match against Riffa at the National Stadium, scheduled for a 5.15pm kick-off. At 7.30pm, Al Ahli lock horns with Malkiya at Khalifa Sports City Stadium.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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