Muharraq clinch Bahrain Football Association Cup

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Muharraq were late Saturday night crowned champions of the 2021/2022 Bahrain Football Association (BFA) Cup.

Muharraq clinched the title after defeating Hidd 5-4 in a tight penalty shootout in the tournament final, played at the Al Ahli Club Stadium in Mahooz. The match was deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of regular time.

Following the contest, BFA vice-president His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa presented the two teams their respective trophies and medals. The result earned Muharraq the BFA Cup for the third successive year and their fifth trophy overall in the competition.

They had previously won the title the last two seasons, as well as in 2008/2009 and 2004/2005. Hidd were gunning for their second crown, after winning it once in 2002/2003.

Hidd took the lead in the game’s 57th minute with a goal from Syrian professional Ahmed Ashkar. Muharraq goalkeeper Omar Salem intended to pass the ball to defender Waleed Al Hayam, but mistakenly sent it to Ashkar instead, and the Hidd player took advantage of the mistake and sent the ball into the roof of the net.

But Hidd’s celebrations lasted only two minutes as Muharraq were able to quickly equalise through Abdulrahman Al Ahmad.

That set the stage for the shootout, and Muharraq converted all five of their penalties, with Abdulwahab Ali, Hamza Al Jebne, Abdulwahab Al Malood, Mubarak Mohammed and Khaled Al Hajri all firing in from the spot.

For Hidd, Ashkar, Everton de Mendonca, Sayed Mohammed Adnan and Issa Musbah scored, and then Ismail Mohammed’s final penalty, which would have tied things at 5-5 and extended the shootout, was saved by Muharraq’s Salem.