FOOTBALL – AL Khaldiya set up an exciting clash with Riffa for the chance to be crowned the first-ever champions in the all-new Khalid Bin Hamad Cup.
Khaldiya earned their place in the tournament final after outclassing Muharraq 4-1 last night at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
Gleison Wilson Da Silva Moreira had a brace for the two-time defending title-holders of the Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League. Both his goals came following a Dominique Mendy opener – all before the break. Substitute Mohammed Al Rumaihi, playing his first game for Khaldiya after transferring from Al Najma, then applied the nail in the coffin in second-half stoppage time.
Edimar Ribeiro Da Costa Junior fired in Muharraq’s lone consolation.
The inaugural edition of the Khalid Bin Hamad Cup offers a cool BD50,000 prize to the winning team.
This prestigious tournament is being held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Khaldiya and Riffa are scheduled to clash for the trophy on Tuesday next week. Riffa booked their berth in the final after defeating Al Ahli 3-2 in extra-time on Wednesday.
In Khaldiya’s victory last night, Mendy opened the victors’ account in the 27th minute with a rocket from a metre outside the penalty area. Teammate and Bahrain national team star Mahdi Humaidan played Iraqi Dhurgham Ismail into the left of the box with a one-two, and then Ismail delivered a pass towards Mendy. He unleashed a powerful volley that flew into the net past Muharraq’s second-string goalkeeper Ashraf Waheed Alsebaie.
Khaldiya doubled their advantage in the 36th minute with a brilliant Moreira strike from close range. Ismail once again contributed to the goal, sending in a cross that Muharraq’s international defenders Waleed Al Hayyam and Abdulla Al Khalasi should have dealt with.
Da Costa Junior then got one back for his team in the fourth minute of first-half injury time, scoring off a pass from Abdulwahab Al Malood, who found the striker charging towards goal. Da Costa Junior then created enough space between Ismail and Sayed Mahdi Baqer to slot home and reduce the deficit.
But it didn’t take long for Khaldiya to regain the two-goal advantage. Seven minutes later, Moreira received a long pass from Humaidan from the left, which again should have been cleared by the Muharraq back line, and took advantage of his opportunity with a header to make it 3-1.
Khaldiya added to their winning margin just a minute into second-half injury time. Al Rumaihi received a pass from skipper Sayed Dhiya Saeed and fired into the net from the goalmouth.
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