Al Khaldiya Thrash Al Ahli to Win Super Cup

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Moroccan duo inspire 5-2 rout as Al Ahli collapse in season opener

League champions Al Khaldiya stormed to their third consecutive Bahrain Super Cup title last night, sweeping aside King’s Cup holders Al Ahli 5-2 at Khalifa Sports City Stadium The contest, which kicked off at 7pm, served as the traditional curtain-raiser to the new domestic campaign. By half-time the tie was effectively settled, with Al Khaldiya racing into an unassailable 4-0 lead.

Ruthless First Half

Khaldiya’s Moroccan forward Nizar El Othmani opened the scoring in the 12th minute, lashing in a half-volley after being left completely unmarked in the area.

Just three minutes later, Brazilian playmaker Gleison Moreira doubled the advantage. A low ball into the box caused confusion in Al Ahli’s defence, and after a series of mishits the ball fell kindly to Moreira, who finished calmly. El Othmani provided the assist.

In the 27th minute, Moroccan international Anas Ouahim added the third, clinically finishing after Moreira’s clever pass. El Othmani then struck again on the stroke of half-time, finishing off a sweeping team move. After neat interplay down the right, he side-stepped the advancing goalkeeper Michael before rolling the ball into an empty net to make it 4-0.

Second-Half Response

Al Ahli, captained by Jamal, gave themselves a glimmer of hope on the hour mark when Abdullah Al Hashash powered in a low header to reduce the deficit.

But Khaldiya immediately restored their cushion five minutes later. Midfielder Komail Al Aswad stepped up and thundered a left-footed free-kick into the top corner, leaving Al Ahli’s number 1 with no chance.

Substitute Sayed Mahdi Sharaf grabbed a late consolation for Ahli in the 90th minute, calmly finishing a scramble in the box to end the scoring at 5-2.

3 in a Row

The emphatic win handed Al Khaldiya’s their third straight Super Cup, following successes in 2022 and 2024. It underlines their growing dominance in Bahraini football since the club’s founding in 2020.

Speaking ahead of the game, Ahli head coach Mohammed Al Nusuf had insisted his side were fully prepared and that both teams had an equal chance. Khaldiya boss Ali Ashour, meanwhile, had highlighted his squad’s hard work during pre-season, fitness levels, and depth on the bench to deal with the humid conditions.