Muharraq Hammer Isa Town, Riffa Survive Shootout

Round two of the King’s Cup round-of-16 served up both dominance and drama, with the last eight starting to come into view.

At Khalifa Sports City, Muharraq confirmed their status as one of the favourites with a 6–0 demolition over second-division Isa Town. The scoring opened almost immediately, with Bahrain international Abdulla Al Khalasi unleashing a spectacular long-range strike in the fifth minute that left goalkeeper Hasan Taha with no chance.

From there, the “Red Wolves” dominated possession and territory. Abdulrahman Al Malood doubled the lead in the 28th minute after clever wing play from Elliot Simoes, who beat his marker before squaring the ball for an unmarked finish. Just before halftime, Hasan Al Karrani made it 3–0, rising to meet a corner-kick and guiding his header into the far corner, following a near-miss from Mohammed Al Hardan who struck the crossbar.

The scoring continued after the break. A penalty in the 74th minute, awarded when Mohammed Sulaiman brought down Al Khalasi in the box, was calmly converted by Samy Frioui. Substitute Sofufiane Mahrouk then struck twice late on, the first following more clever wing play from Al Khalasi, and the second in the 88th minute when he reacted quickest to a rebound after Simoes’ spectacular free-kick rattled the crossbar. Mahrouk’s brace completed a resounding win for Nandinho's side.

Meanwhile, at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium, Riffa were pushed all the way by second-tier Manama in a match that went down to penalties after a 2–2 draw. Riffa took an early lead in the 10th minute as Sayed Mahmood Al Moosawi rose highest to head in Rodrigo Yuri’s pinpoint corner. Manama responded in the 29th minute when Nemanja Nikolic latched onto a ball played from deep, chipped the onrushing goalkeeper, and finished into an empty net.

Mohammed Mashaan’s side regained the lead five minutes into the second half through substitute Ali Madan, who finished low into the corner after being slipped in by Sayed Hashim Isa. The game swung again in the 68th minute when Manama’s goalkeeper Mohammed Hasan was sent off for a foul on Yacouba Diarra. Despite being reduced to ten men, Manama forced extra time deep into stoppage time, when Ali Meftah raced through to slot home after Mohammed Ahmed’s long ball caught the Riffa defence out. Riffa almost won it at the death when Madan blazed over from close range, but the forward made amends in the shootout, converting the decisive penalty to seal qualification.

With these results, Muharraq and Riffa join Bahrain Club and Al Shabab in the King’s Cup last eight. Two more quarter-finalists will be decided tonight, with holders Al Khaldiya facing Al Hala at Khalifa Sports City and Al Ittifaq taking on Sitra at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium, both matches kicking off at 7pm. The final two spots will be settled in tomorrow’s fixtures.