Both teams had already been eliminated from the competition, with Al Najma sitting third with four points while Al Ittihad had a single point in last place going into Matchday Six. Al Najma had won the reverse fixture 2-1 in Abu Dhabi back in March.
With pressure off, the two sides set out to entertain and indeed the crowd at the Bahrain National Stadium were treated to a fine display of attacking football with chances aplenty at both ends throughout the opening period.
Mohammad Al Ghabbash threatened early on for Al Ittihad, but his second-minute effort narrowly missed the target.
It was his namesake, Mohammad Muhtadi, who brought the fans to their feet first, beating the Al Najma goalkeeper Ahmed Rasool on the half-volley after Mohamad Al Omari’s cross. The goal was not to be, however, as the ball bounced back off the upright in the 10th minute.
Al Najma responded three minutes later, and their reply was efficient, as the Bahrainis’ first real chance of the game produced the opener. Mohamed Tayeb supplied a perfectly-weighted through ball and Ali Muneer placed his shot into the back of the net to put the hosts in front.
The home crowd were celebrating again nine minutes before the break as Ali Madan’s long-range shot was deflected off Al Ittihad defender Shaher Shaheen to leave goalkeeper Muhanad Al Khiari rooted to the spot and nestle into the bottom corner, doubling Al Najma’s lead.
Al Ittihad pulled one back in the 72nd minute through Ammar Al Shaban. The defender rose highest to head home from Omar Mshhdani’s cross. His goal was merely consolation for the Syrians as Al Najma walked away with the three points.
Only their second win of the campaign, the result meant Al Najma finish third with seven points while Al Ittihad end their 2019 AFC Cup journey without a taste of victory and with just one point to their name.
