FOOTBALL – Two-Time defending champions Muharraq claimed a resounding 3-0 victory over Malkiya last night while perennial title contenders Al Khaldiya battled past 10-man Al Ahli 2-1 as matchweek five came to a close in the 2026-27 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
Edimar Ribeiro da Costa Junior fired in a brace while Angolan professional Elliot Jorge Simoes Inacio scored the other goal in Muharraq’s big win at the National Stadium in Riffa – their first of the campaign after being stripped of three points for fielding an ineligible player in a previous fixture earlier this season.
Khaldiya, on the other hand, secured their triumph with two goals from Mohammed Al Rumaihi at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
The veteran Bahrain international striker was on target on either side of the break, helping his side eke out the result to go level on points with Riffa at the top of the table.
In Muharraq’s contest, they took the lead in the 13th minute when Inacio drove in from the inside edge of the area.
He hit a low effort on a pass from the right by Soufiane Saeed Mahrouk, sending the ball past Malkiya custodian Sayed Ali Mohammed.
Muharraq then went 2-0 ahead a minute before the interval with da Costa Junior’s first goal.
He punched the ball home off a rebound after a Mahrouk effort from the left was stopped by Malkiya’s Mohammed.
Da Costa Junior then completed his double after the re-start.
He scored on the hour mark after guiding the ball into the net from the face of goal following a short headed pass from Waleed Al Hayyam off a corner kick that was not cleared.
Muharraq registered their first win in five games and went to five points, climbing two spots to ninth on the 12-team standings.
Malkiya, on the other hand, stayed at the very bottom with just one point after suffering their fourth loss in five outings.
Meanwhile, Khaldiya opened their account against Ahli in the 11th minute when Al Rumaihi scored following a brilliant through-pass by Gleison Wilson Moreira.
After receiving the ball, Al Rumaihi rounded Ahli goalkeeper Ebrahim Luthfallah to create enough room to guide the ball it into the net unchallenged.
Ahli equalised in the 58th minute when Baqer Al Asfoor fired in off a brilliant one-two with teammate Hashem Sayed Issa.
Operating on the left, Al Asfoor charged into the box after playing the ball to Issa and then got it back to slot home unmarked from close range.
Minutes after the interval, Ahli went a man down after Nigerian Olawale Babatunde Onanuga was shown a direct red card for a dangerous tackle against Khaldiya’s Moroccan import Walid Sabbar.
Khaldiya then made the most of their advantage and Al Rumaihi put them back in front with a 71st minute header.
He converted from just outside the six-yard box following some outstanding individual skill from Moroccan teammate Saif-Eddine Bouhra, who delivered the assist.
Khaldiya won for the third time in five tries to go to 11 points – tied with Riffa who have a superior goal difference.
Ahli lost for just the second time as they stayed on seven markers in the top half of the table.
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