Al Khaldiya, Muharraq Advance To King’s Cup Semis Hussain Almaskati

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The King’s Cup quarter-finals lived up to expectation last night as league leaders Al Khaldiya defeated A’ali Club 2–0 and second-placed Muharraq overcame Al Shabab 3–0 to punch their tickets to the semi-finals. Both sides showed their class when it mattered, keeping their cup ambitions firmly on track.

At Bahrain National Stadium, holders Al Khaldiya maintained their fine run under newly appointed Tunisian coach Lassad Al Chabbi. They struck in the fifth minute against A’ali, with Moroccan defender Ayman Dairani — on loan from Wydad Athletic Club — stooping low to head home a free-kick from compatriot Saiffedine Bouhra.

The holders thought they had doubled their advantage in the 35th minute after Bouhra was brought down in the box. In an audacious move, Bouhra rolled his penalty sideways to Congolese forward Joel Beya, who tried to finish, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Undeterred, Al Khaldiya sealed the result in the 67th minute when a slick move in the final third released Beya, who made no mistake to secure a deserved 2–0 win and send Al Chabbi’s men into the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Muharraq looked determined to make amends for their Khalid bin Hamad Cup final defeat. Portuguese coach Fernando Manuel de Jesus Santos saw his team control long stretches against Al Shabab, led by Mohammed AlMuqla, whose side struggled to create clear chances.

After a goalless first half, Muharraq found the breakthrough in the 55th minute through Edimar Ribeiro da Costa, who dummyed two challenges before delicately dinking the ball into the net. The Red Wolves doubled their advantage in the 70th minute as Sofyan Mahrouk’s cross found Algerian forward Sami Frioui, who headed home under no pressure. In stoppage time, Brazilian Arthur Rezende sealed the 3–0 win with a sensational long-range strike, leaving goalkeeper Rashed Aldoseri helpless.

The final two quarter-final ties take place tonight, with Al Ahli facing First Division side Al Ettifaq, while Bahrain Club meet reigning Khalid bin Hamad Cup winners Riffa. Both matches kick off at 9pm to complete the semi-final line-up.