RIFFA, Bahrain (Interstat) — Aali Club scored in the 11th minute, added a second goal in the 80th and withstood a late Al Najma Club charge for a 2-1 victory on Thursday at Stād al-Bahrayn al-Watanī. The visiting side led 1-0 at halftime after Diego Cardoso opened the scoring. Aali Club doubled its advantage with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, then conceded in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Al Najma Club, the home team, pushed for an equalizer in the closing minutes but could not complete the comeback. Cardoso finished with one goal while logging 90 minutes.

The match unfolded as a test of Aali Club’s ability to protect an early lead against a home side that grew more urgent as the afternoon progressed. Al Najma Club controlled stretches of possession after the opening goal and tried to turn that territory into chances, but Aali Club’s back line and midfield kept the hosts scoreless until stoppage time. Aali Club defended with discipline and looked to counter when Al Najma Club committed players forward. The visitors stayed compact and forced Al Najma Club to work through the middle, where clear openings were scarce. The second Aali Club goal in the 80th minute changed the complexion of the final 10 minutes, giving the visitors a two-goal cushion and forcing Al Najma Club to chase the match with greater numbers. That push produced a late breakthrough, but Aali Club had enough of a margin to close out the win.

Aali Club’s season record in this competition is now 1-2, and its record across all competitions is also 1-2. Al Najma Club’s record in this competition is now 1-1-1, matching its record across all competitions. The result gave Aali Club its first win of the campaign after previous losses to Sitra CSC and East Riffa. Al Najma Club had entered the match following a draw against Al Hidd SCC and a win at Sitra CSC, but the home side could not extend that unbeaten start. The visitors’ victory came at Stād al-Bahrayn al-Watanī in Riffa.

Cardoso’s early goal gave Aali Club a foundation on the road. The visitors did not need long to settle into their shape after taking the lead, and they limited Al Najma Club’s clearest chances for much of the match. Aali Club’s second goal arrived in the 80th minute, when the visitors created enough space to double their lead and put the home side under greater pressure. Al Najma Club responded with a late surge and finally scored in the 90th minute plus five, but the final whistle followed soon after. The home side’s goal came too late to alter the result. Aali Club’s players managed the closing stages well enough to secure the win.

The win provided a lift for Aali Club after a difficult start to the season and left Al Najma Club with a mixed record through three matches. Aali Club’s previous results included a 2-0 loss at home to Sitra CSC and a 2-1 loss at East Riffa. Al Najma Club had opened with a 2-2 draw against Al Hidd SCC at home and a 2-0 win at Sitra CSC. Against Aali Club, the home side could not reproduce the attacking form from those earlier matches until the final moments. Aali Club’s two-goal burst proved decisive, and the visitors left Riffa with their first victory in the competition.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Al Najma Club 2, Aali Club 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Al Najma Club with a 73.8 percent probability to win. Al Najma Club had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.