Muharraq through to AFC Cup final

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Muharraq punched their tickets to the AFC Cup 2021 Final last night following a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Kuwait SC of Kuwait.

Mahmoud Al Mardi and Brazilian professional Flavio Cheveresan were both on target for the Bahrainis.

The match, which was played at the Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad, was the Zonal Final of West Asia in this year’s edition of the prestigious club competition.

The Kingdom’s representatives are now set to play for the tournament title against FC Nasaf Qarshi of Uzbekistan, who also qualified for the final yesterday with a 3-2 win in extra time against Lee Man FC of Hong Kong.

That game was the Inter-Zone Final, and it was played in the Uzbek city of Karshi.

The AFC Cup 2021 Final is scheduled for November 5.

Based on the competition’s rules, it will be played in Bahrain.

Both Al Mardi’s and Flavio’s goals were scored in the first half last night.

Al Mardi gave the Bahrainis the lead in the 19th minute when his free-kick from around 30 yards found its way into the net.

The ball went untouched despite the aerial challenge of a couple of players, catching Kuwait goalkeeper Hameed Youssef off guard as it bounced past him off the pitch and into the net.

Flavio then doubled Muharraq’s advantage at the stroke of half-time with an attempt from close range after Kuwait failed to clear the ball.

A cross from the right flank was found awaiting Abdulwahab Al Malood in the box, but the Bahraini international could not control the pass.

It eventually found its way onto the path of Flavio, who made the most of the gifted opportunity and lobbed the ball over the opposing goalkeeper for the 2-0 advantage.

Both teams had other chances to find the net in the second half, as well as in the four additional minutes of stoppage time, but could not add to the scoreline.

In the AFC Cup Final, Muharraq will be gunning for their second title in the history of the competition, which is organised and run by the Asian Football Confederation for the top clubs in the continent who have not qualified for the AFC Champions League.