Manama struck late to hold league leaders Al Ettifaq to a 2-2 draw, while Sitra returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over A’Ali as Matchweek Five of the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League got underway.

Newly promoted Al Ettifaq, unbeaten under Faouzi Aaish, remain provisionally top with 10 points after surrendering a second-half lead at Khalifa Sports City Stadium.

Manama, meanwhile, climbed to eighth with five points, although Ismael Karami’s side are still searching for their first victory on the pitch since returning to the top flight.

Zachary Al Hadji put Manama ahead in the 26th minute, converting a penalty after Al Kamel committed a foul inside the area.

Al Ettifaq equalised in the 39th minute through a spot-kick of their own, awarded following a VAR review that confirmed Aymene Arhihou had fouled Anouar Frendi inside the box.

Aaish’s side then took the lead eight minutes into the second half through Abdulghafoor Mehri. Songalo Bagayoko’s low cross was partially cleared before Mohammed Abdulqayoom struck a first-time effort that goalkeeper Slavisa Bogdanovic saved, leaving Mehri to turn home the rebound.

Manama, however, salvaged a point in the closing stages when Ammar Jaffar collected a pass following an interception, advanced towards the edge of the area and drove a low shot into the bottom corner beyond goalkeeper Godwill Chia Ndang.

Sitra Return to Winning Ways

Elsewhere, Hassan Sayed Isa’s Sitra bounced back from their previous defeat with a 2-0 win over Vinicius Eutropio’s A’Ali at Al Ahli Stadium.

Sayed Mehdi Sharaf opened the scoring in the 62nd minute from the penalty spot after Sekou Kaba caught Sitra captain Ali Haram with a high knee inside the area.

Substitute Saleh Al Zubaidi secured all three points three minutes into stoppage time, dispossessing a defender before exchanging passes with Mohammed Salem and lifting the ball over advancing goalkeeper Omar Salem Rajab.

The victory lifts Sitra to fourth with eight points, while A’Ali remain 10th on four after suffering consecutive defeats.

The round continues with Riffa facing promoted rivals East Riffa in a long-awaited derby at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, while defending champions Muharraq meet Al Malkiya at Bahrain National Stadium. Both matches are scheduled for 7pm Bahrain time.