FOOTBALL – Rickson Barbosa da Conceicao fired in a late winner last night to help lift Al Najma to a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Malkiya to kick off the second matchweek of the 2026-27 Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Da Conceicao netted home four minutes from the end of regular time to help Najma secure their first win of the new season at Al Ahli Club Stadium in Mahooz.
He scored with a brilliant free-kick from more than 20 yards out.
His right-footed effort flew over the Malkiya wall and past opposing goalkeeper Sayed Ali Hussain into the bottom-right corner of goal.
The Brazilian’s strike was enough to separate the two sides in the contest as Najma bounced back from their opening 2-7 setback against Al Khaldiya in round one last week.
Malkiya, on the other hand, lost for the second match in a row after bowing to Sitra 0-3 in their opening fixture.
Also yesterday, Sitra and East Riffa played to a goalless stalemate at the National Stadium in Riffa.
Sitra came away with a share of the points following their fine victory in their first game against Malkiya, and they have now risen to the top of the table.
East Riffa, meanwhile, came away with their first point of the new campaign after beginning their schedule with a 0-2 loss to Hidd.
Following a break from action tonight, matchweek two continues tomorrow and Saturday with another two fixtures on each evening.
Tomorrow, Khaldiya take on A’ali at the National Stadium while two-time defending premiership champions Muharraq go up against last season’s Bahrain First Division title winners Al Ettifaq at Ahli.
Then, on Saturday, Hidd face off with Al Ahli at the National Stadium while Riffa lock horns with Manama at Ahli.
All four matches are scheduled for 7pm kick-offs.
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