FOOTBALL – MALKIYA outclassed Al Najma 3-0 last night while Al Shabab officially confirmed the relegation of Bahrain Club after beating them 1-0 as matchweek 19 continued in the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Three players were on target for Malkiya in their big win at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, including Ahmed Muslem Habib, Hasan Isa Salman, and Hasan Jaafar Madan.
Habib netted from close range to open their account in the 63rd minute, and then Salman doubled their advantage six minutes later with a stunning strike from nearly 30 yards out. Madan completed the rout with a goal from just outside the six-yard box with only six minutes remaining in regular time.
With the result, Malkiya strengthened their hold on fourth place on the league table, improving to 30 points with their eighth victory. They handed Najma their 10th defeat to stay on 19 points as they remained in danger of having to compete in the end-of-season relegation play-offs.
In last night’s other contest, an own goal from Bahrain Club’s Sultan Mansoor Alsalatneh was enough to separate the league’s two bottom clubs in their clash at the National Stadium in Riffa.
Alsalatneh’s error came off a corner kick sent in by Shabab’s Nigerian professional Etor Essien Daniel.
Shabab secured only their third triumph of this campaign and went to 14 points. Despite their victory, they continued to stay in the automatic relegation zone, while Bahrain Club, who lost for the 16th time and stayed on just seven points in last place, were confirmed to be dropping down to the Bahrain First Division for 2026-27.
The 19th round of the league concludes tonight with Riffa taking on Al Ahli at Khalifa Sports City Stadium and defending champions Muharraq going up against Budaiya at the National Stadium. Both matches are scheduled for 7pm kick-offs.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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