Latest news with #Al-Khaldiya
Daily Tribune
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Malkiya Defies the Odds with Stunning Comeback Against Al-Khaldiya, While Al-Najma Continues Revival
TDT | Manama Malkiya pulled off an unexpected comeback to defeat Al-Khaldiya 2-1, overturning an early deficit in a great match on Tuesday at Khalifa Sports City Stadium. The clash, part of the 18th round of the second phase of the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League, saw Malkiya boost their points tally to 24, while Al-Khaldiya's loss left them stuck on 33 points, effectively dashing their hopes of challenging for the title, which now seems destined for Muharraq. Al-Khaldiya took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Mahdi Abduljabbar, but the tide turned in the second half despite Malkiya playing with 10 men after a first-half red card. Malkiya fought back with grit, equalizing through Issa Al-Bari in the 79th minute. Then, with just three minutes remaining, a penalty was awarded to Malkiya, which Khalil Al-Tamrani calmly converted past goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Gharbli, sealing the win and sparking wild celebrations among the Malkiya faithful, while Al-Khaldiya were left to rue a painful defeat. Elsewhere, at Bahrain National Stadium, Al-Najma continued their resurgence under coach Mohammed Al-Shamlan, securing a second consecutive win with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain SC. The goals came in the first half, with Omar Saber opening the scoring in the 7th minute and Mohammed Al-Marmour adding a penalty in the 43rd. Al-Najma's win takes them to 25 points, while Bahrain SC remain on 20. Meanwhile, at Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium, Sitra and Al-Shabab played out a 1-1 draw. Al-Shabab struck early through Firmino in the 2nd minute, but Sitra responded in the second half with a fine strike from Singalo to level the score. Al-Shabab now have 22 points, while Sitra sit on 28. Muharraq Set for Title-Deciding Clash Today The excitement continues as the 18th round concludes with three matches at 7:00 PM on Wednesday. The headline fixture sees Muharraq take on Manama at Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium, a match that could see Muharraq clinch the title with three rounds to spare. Sitting on 44 points, a win would secure the championship for Muharraq, while Manama, languishing at the bottom with 11 points, are desperate for points to climb out of the relegation zone. In other matches, rivals East Riffa and Al-Riffa face off at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, and A'ali take on Al-Ahli at Bahrain National Stadium.
Daily Tribune
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Riffa Survive East Riffa's Late Heroics
If Al-Khaldiya's night was a stroll, Riffa's was a scrap—and what a scrap it was. Facing off against neighbours East Riffa, this quarter-final was pure theatre: 2-2 after extra time, a goalkeeper scoring, and a penalty shootout that swung like a pendulum. Sami Friwi and Wellington had Riffa dreaming of a smooth ride with their goals, but East Riffa's Wilson Alex kept them honest with one back. Then came the moment nobody saw coming. Deep in the second chunk of extra time, East Riffa's goalkeeper Marin—yes, the man between the sticks—charged upfield and smashed home a historic equaliser. Cue pandemonium. The stadium erupted, East Riffa's bench lost their minds, and it looked like they'd snatched momentum heading to spot-kicks. But football's a cruel game. Step forward Abdulkarim Fardan, Riffa's substitute keeper, thrown into the deep end for the shootout. With East Riffa smelling victory, Fardan stood tall, swatting away their eighth and ninth penalties like he'd been waiting for this all season. Riffa clinched it 7-6, and while their fans roared, East Riffa's players sank—gutted after blowing a golden chance in a shootout they'd twice led. Sitra await in the semis, and Riffa's knack for surviving chaos might just carry them further. The Road to April So here we are: Al-Khaldiya vs. Muharraq and Riffa vs. Sitra, locked in for April 9 and 10. Al-Khaldiya's firepower looks unstoppable, but Muharraq's grit could make it a classic. Riffa, buzzing off that penalty high, will fancy their chances against a Sitra side yet to reveal its full hand in this cup run. Friday's drama has left us with two tales—one of dominance, one of defiance—and a semi-final stage that's got Bahrain buzzing. For East Riffa, it's the what-ifs that'll sting longest: Marin's magic moment, undone by those missed kicks. For Al-Hala, it's back to the drawing board after a hiding they won't forget. As Ramadan begins, the King's Cup is serving up football worth fasting for.
Daily Tribune
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Al-Khaldiya Cruise Through, Penalties Break East Riffa's Hearts
TDT | Manama Email : editor@ Bahrain's football faithful woke up on the first day of Ramadan to a quarter-final finale that had it all: a goal-fest, a goalkeeper's moment of madness, and a penalty shootout dripping with drama. The 2024-2025 His Majesty the King's Football Cup now has its Golden Square, and it's Al-Khaldiya and Riffa who've punched their tickets after Friday's matches, setting up blockbuster semi-finals against Muharraq and Sitra come April.
