Seven Heaven for King’s Cup Holders

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

HM The King’s Cup round-of-16 continued yesterday with emphatic victories for holders Al Khaldiya and Al Ittifaq, bringing the quarter-final picture closer to completion.

At Khalifa Sports City, Al Khaldiya began their title defense in style. Under Tunisian head coach Lassad Al Chabbi, the league leaders put second-division side Al Hala to the sword with a 7–0 win. The scoring burst began in the third minute when Saiffedine Bouhra capitalised on poor defending from Al Hala, firing home from a tight angle after Anas Ouahim’s run set him up. Just three minutes later, Joel Beya doubled the lead following a turnover in midfield, with Bouhra turning from scorer to provider to set up Beya for a clinical finish.

The holders continued to dominate. Nizar Al Othmani added a third in the 27th minute with a sensational long-range strike that left goalkeeper Salman Omar helpless. A subsequent handball on Hamza Alattar allowed Beya to convert a penalty in the 32nd minute, completing his brace and putting Al Khaldiya firmly in command. Al Hala were denied a penalty of their own before halftime when a high boot from Ayman Dirani on Alattar went unpunished after a VAR review.

Before the break, Gleison Moreira made it 5–0 following a clever one-two with Ouahim, skipping past the keeper to finish. Moreira added his second in the 52nd minute, while veteran Isameel Abdullatif sealed the rout in the 80th minute with a composed strike after twisting past defenders.

Meanwhile, at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium, ten-man Al Ittifaq caused an upset by defeating Nasser Bin Hamad Premier League side Sitra 2–0. Both goals were brilliantly worked team efforts, with Abdulrahman Al Ahmadi and Sangalwa finding the net as the second-division leaders dominated possession and limited the attacking opportunities of Ali Abdulmajeed’s Sitra side.

With these results, six of the eight quarter-finalists have now been determined, joining Bahrain Club, Al Shabab, Muharraq, and Riffa. The last two spots will be decided today when Budaiya face Al Ahli at Khalifa Sports City, and A’ali take on Al Najma at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Stadium, with both matches kicking off at 7pm.