Muharraq advance in King Salman Club Cup

TDT | Manama                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Bahrain’s Muharraq advanced last night to the second qualification round for the 2023 King Salman Club Cup—the region’s top tournament organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations, also known as the Arab Club Champions Cup.

Muharraq made it through following a 5-4 penalty-shootout victory against Al Seeb of Oman in the second-leg of their matchup in this qualifying stage.

The match was played at Al Seeb Stadium in Muscat, and it ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts.

That forged a 2-2 deadlock on aggregate, with the Bahrainis having earlier defeated their Omani counterparts 2-0 in the first-leg. That sent the game directly into the decisive shootout, where Muharraq converted all five of their spot kicks.

There was no extra-time played, as per tournament rules. On target were Sufyan Mahrouq, Abdulwahab Ali, Hamza Al Jaban and Ahmed Al Sherooqi, and then Muhammad Sulumba converted the clincher.

Seeb misfired on their second attempt, giving Muharraq the advantage. Earlier during regular time, Abdulaziz Al Muqbali fired in a brace for the home side, which tied the aggregate scores and gave Seeb a lifeline.

He opened their account in the 43rd minute with a header home from close range after poor defending from Muharraq off a left corner-kick.

That was enough to send them into the break with the lead.

Al Muqbali then equalised for Seeb with a 79th minute penalty, after he was brought down in the area by Al Jaban.

He coolly sent the ball home, tying the matchup, but Muharraq eventually prevailed in the shootout.