FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN champions Muharraq were dealt a disappointing start last night to their campaign in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League (ACL) Two.
The kingdom’s squad fell to a tough 0-1 away defeat against FC Arkadag of Turkmenistan, kicking off their Group B schedule in the tournament’s preliminary phase.
Mekan Saparow scored the game’s winning goal in the 52nd minute for the hosts, which was enough to separate the two sides in the hotly contested affair at Arkadag Stadium.
In yesterday’s other divisional clash, Golgohar Sirjan SC of Iran played to a goalless draw with Al Jazira of the UAE at Hisor in Tajikistan.
The ACL Two is the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) second-tier club competition. It was rebranded from the AFC Cup entering the 2024-25 season, and it is one level below the AFC Champions League Elite and one above the AFC Challenge League.
Muharraq are one of two Bahraini clubs in this year’s tournament, with the other being Al Khaldiya, who are in Group A.
Khaldiya begin their ACL Two bid tonight when they face off with PFC Nasaf of Uzbekistan. Their home contest is scheduled for a 7pm kick-off at the National Stadium in Riffa.
Al Wadha of the UAE take on Kuwait SC of Kuwait in the other pool fixture at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It is also scheduled for a 7pm start, Bahrain time.
The ACL Two’s group battles – to be played in a home-and-away round-robin format – continue until December 9 before moving into the round of 16, set between February 9 and 18 in 2027. The quarter-finals and semis are then set for March 2 to 18 and April 6 to 14, respectively, with the final pencilled in for May 15 next year.
Muharraq threatened early in last night’s match in Arkadag, with Abdulkarim Oumar Diarra, Hassan Alkarani, and Edimar Ribeiro da Costa Junior all having chances in the opening minutes.
Bosnia-Herzegovina professional Rijad Kobiljar also had an outstanding opportunity for Muharraq on a one-on-one with Arkadag custodian Rustem Ahallyyew in the 21st minute, but he hit his low effort inches wide of the left post.
The Turkmen then went ahead seven minutes into the second half when Saparow headed in from close range off a cross from Arzuwguly Sapargulyyev, which took a deflection.
The Bahrainis pressed for an equaliser but could not break through despite promising efforts from Brazilian Arthur Rezende and da Costa Junior in the closing stages.
Muharraq will be looking to bounce back in their return to ACL Two action on October 14, when they host Golgohar in the kingdom.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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