Muharraq Writes Another Chapter of Greatness
Voices from last weekend’s King’s Cup Final
Muharraq’s King’s Cup triumph over Riffa on Friday night will be remembered as much for the voices after the final whistle as for the 2–1 scoreline that secured a record 20th title. Beyond the goals and VAR decisions, the evening became a tapestry of reflections that captured emotion, belief, and the meaning of victory.
Midfielder Mohamed Al Hardan, who scored the equaliser, summed up the moment with honesty and relief after a rare but decisive goal. “I try that in training all the time, but it never comes off. Alhamdulillah it worked today in the final. I have not scored all season, so this is one I will remember for my whole life,” he said. He also paid tribute to the supporters who arrived hours before kick-off: “The fans were here since 1PM for a 5PM match. They never stop backing us, and we always want to give that back to them.” He closed with a reminder of the club’s identity: “This club was born to win. Winning trophies is who we are.”
Soufiane Mahrouk’s night was more chaotic but no less memorable. The Moroccan winger joked about a match that swung between misfortune and redemption: “I am the top scorer today,” he said with a smile, referring to a game in which he scored an own goal that briefly gave Riffa the lead and later had a goal ruled out for offside. “I scored on myself and then had another one disallowed, so it was a strange night,” he added. Still, he insisted confidence never left the squad: “If you saw us in training before the game, you would never think we were going to lose.”
Portuguese head coach Fernando Santos praised his players’ response in a testing final. “We deserved it. We played a strong opponent; it was a tough and fantastic game,” he said. Reflecting on the turning points, he added: “We were disappointed when they scored first because I felt it was unfair, but I told my players that if we kept playing like we did in the first half, we would win. In the end, the footballing gods were on our side.”
The night also carried significance beyond the pitch, with His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa present to crown Muharraq as champions. In a major post-match announcement, he directed reforms to remove iron barriers from spectator stands across the Kingdom's stadiums to improve safety and enhance the fan experience. The initiative, to be implemented by HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the General Sports Authority, followed a final that highlighted the energy of Bahraini supporters.
By the end of the night, Muharraq’s victory marked their 20th King’s Cup title, further extending their historic dominance in the competition. Attention now turns to the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League, where they sit just two points behind leaders Al Khaldiya. With the title race still open, the Red Wolves will be looking to go one step further and secure a domestic double, which would also mark a 36th league title in their history.
Related Posts