Al Hidd produced a breathtaking turnaround to win 3-1 against Al Najma at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium yesterday, reaffirming their credentials as genuine contenders in the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League.
Al Najma had taken the lead through Achraf Douiri’s superb 35th-minute opener. The winger expertly controlled Hussain Al Riffai’s floated delivery, let the ball drop, and guided it with composure into the bottom corner past Mohamed ElGharably — a finish worthy of lifting the hosts’ spirits.
But Al Hidd came fighting back in the final 20 minutes. Mauritanian winger Bekaye Wade sparked the comeback in the 72nd minute, tearing down the flank before sending in a perfect cross for Mohamed Al Akash to head home. Four minutes later, Wade turned scorer, muscling past his marker to stab the ball in at the far post after chaos in the box.
The third arrived in the 87th minute. Substitute Abdulla Al Subaei dazzled down the byline, twisting past defenders before squaring for Jordanian forward Mohamed Al Eikish, who tapped in his brace to seal the points.
The win lifts Al Hidd to third on nine points, maintaining their unbeaten run, while Al Najma remain 11th and still without a win this season.
At Khalifa Sports City, Sitra and Budaiya shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw marked by drama at both ends. Karl Namnganda put Sitra ahead after 24 minutes, latching onto a long pass from Judá Aguiar da Silva. However, Sitra’s hopes faded when Abdulwasea Al Matari saw red for a high boot, and Budaiya equalised through Kablan Davy N’Goma’s second-half penalty following a handball.
Attention now turns to tonight’s fixtures as Week 5 continues today. A’ali host Malkiya at Khalifa Sports City, while Al Ahli face Al Shabab at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium, with both matches kicking off at 7 pm.