Holders Al Hala advance in HM the King’s Cup

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com 

Holders Al Hala, Al Ettihad and Busaiteen all advanced last night to the round of 16 of the 2023/2024 His Majesty the King’s Cup football tournament.

Hala made it through with a 3-0 win over Tadhamun, Ettihad advanced with a 5-4 win on penalties against Al Najma after the match remained goalless at the end of regular time, and Busaiteen marched on with a 3-0 win over Bouri.

The victorious trio joined East Riffa and A’ali as teams to qualify for the next stage.

In the round of 16, Hala continue their title defence and take on defending league champions Al Khaldiya, Ettihad face Al Shabab, and Busaiteen take on Sitra.

The remaining games in the opening round of the single-elimination tournament see Um Al Hassam go against Budaiya, Al Ettifaq face Etehad Al Reef, and Bahrain Club play Galali.

The HM the King’s Cup is the richest football competition in the Kingdom, with the winners taking home BD100,000 in prize money and BD50,000 going to the runners-up.

In the 2022/2023 His Majesty the King’s Cup, Hala were crowned champions after a heart-stopping 6-5 victory over Al Ahli in a hugely thrilling penalty shootout in the final.

The decider extended to an amazing 10 spot kicks per squad.

The match had ended goalless after 90 minutes and the score remained nil-nil after 30 minutes of extra-time.