HALABA KETEMA, Ethiopia (Interstat) — Halaba Ketema scored in the 18th and 47th minutes and held off visiting Hadiya Hossana FC 2-1 on Friday in a global football match that turned on two goals from the home side and a second-half response from the visitors.

Halaba Ketema opened the scoring in the 18th minute and doubled its advantage in the 47th. Hadiya Hossana FC pulled one back in the 57th minute, but the visitors could not find an equalizer over the final half-hour. The home side carried a two-goal cushion before Hadiya Hossana FC’s goal cut the deficit to one and set up a tense closing stretch. The second Halaba Ketema goal came shortly after the restart and gave the home side breathing room.

The result left Halaba Ketema with a season record of 2 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws in the competition and across all competitions. Hadiya Hossana FC is now 1 win, 2 losses and 1 draw in the competition and across all competitions. The home victory marked Halaba Ketema’s second win in the competition, while Hadiya Hossana FC remained on one win after the away defeat. Halaba Ketema’s victory came as the home side protected its lead after scoring twice, while Hadiya Hossana FC’s second-half goal was not enough to change the outcome.

Halaba Ketema entered the match after a 6-0 loss at Wolaita Dicha SC and a 1-1 home draw with Fasil Kenema FC. Earlier, Halaba Ketema had beaten Bahir Dar Ketema FC 1-0 at home and drawn 1-1 at home with Wolwalo Adigrat University FC. Hadiya Hossana FC had beaten Fasil Kenema FC 1-0 at home, drawn 1-1 at home with Wolaita Dicha SC and lost 1-0 at home to Bahir Dar Ketema FC.

The visitors’ goal in the 57th minute gave Hadiya Hossana FC hope of a comeback, but Halaba Ketema’s defense held through the remaining minutes. Halaba Ketema finished the match with two goals, while Hadiya Hossana FC finished with one. The scoring sequence matched the game’s listed order, with Halaba Ketema’s goals coming at the 18th and 47th minutes and Hadiya Hossana FC’s goal at the 57th. After Hadiya Hossana FC scored, the visitors needed one more goal to level the match, but Halaba Ketema did not concede again. The home side’s two goals remained the difference, and Hadiya Hossana FC’s single goal left the visitors short. The final 33 minutes passed without another goal.

Halaba Ketema was the home team, and Hadiya Hossana FC was the visiting side. The match was played on Friday, and the home side made its early advantage count. Hadiya Hossana FC’s second-half goal reduced the margin, but the visitors could not add a second goal in the closing minutes. Halaba Ketema protected its lead through the late stages and closed out the result without conceding again. Hadiya Hossana FC returned home with the loss. The home side’s two-goal start proved decisive.

The contest featured a three-goal total, with Halaba Ketema scoring twice and Hadiya Hossana FC scoring once. Halaba Ketema’s first goal arrived in the 18th minute, and its second came in the 47th. Hadiya Hossana FC answered in the 57th, but the visitors could not draw level. No further goals were recorded after the 57th minute. The final score stood at Halaba Ketema 2, Hadiya Hossana FC 1 after the closing whistle.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Halaba Ketema 1, Hadiya Hossana FC 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Halaba Ketema with a 57.3 percent probability to win. Hadiya Hossana FC 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.