Muscat: Brazilian striker Elias De Oliveria struck with 17 minutes remaining as Bahrain champions Al Muharraq recorded a second consecutive win at the start of their AFC Cup campaign after edging out Oman’s Fanja 2-1 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Jamal Rashed had given visitors Al Muharraq the lead after 21 minutes only for Imad Al Hosni to hit back for Fanja nine minutes later.
But following a significant delay due to a severe thunderstorm, De Oliveria netted what proved to be the winner in the 73rd minute as Al Muharraq added to last month’s 2-1 home win over Palestine’s Ahli Al Khalil in Group D.
Midfielder Rashed opened the scoring for Al Muharraq after 21 minutes after converting Waleed Al Hayam’s cross.
The lead, though, lasted just nine minutes as Al Hosni was on hand to follow up from close range after Al Muharraq goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed Abbas had saved Mohamed Al Maashari’s header from Mukhlid Al Ruqadi’s cross.
The players were then forced off the field 15 minutes into the second half due to a thunderstorm.
But after they returned to a damp playing surface, De Oliveria received a long pass from Ismaeel Abdulatif before beating Fanja goalkeeper Mazin Al Hasani low to his right.
Source: the-afc.com