Al Shabab and East Riffa both barged into the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 His Majesty the King’s Cup last night.
Shabab defeated Hidd 2-1 at Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad while East Riffa edged past Manama 1-0 at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
The pair of Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League sides are the first two clubs to book their tickets into the last eight.
There, Shabab will next face the winners of the Muharraq-Budaiya round-of-16 clash, while East Riffa will take on the victors of the Riffa-Bahrain Club match-up.
In Shabab’s triumph, Moroccan Nizar El Otmani put them in front with a 44th minute strike from inside the box but then Ahmed Habib equalised for Hidd nearly a quarter-hour into the second-half with a header from close range.
But Shabab got their winner in the 74th minute with a strike from Brazilian Alexandro Soares Firmino, whose effort from the right of the area took a slight deflection before flying into the net.
Meanwhile, in East Riffa’s victory, Argentinian Gonzalo Cordoba fired in the match-winner in the 73rd minute with a stunning free-kick from several yards outside the area.
Cordoba hit a powerful shot that went over the Manama wall and into the top-left corner, past a diving opposing goalkeeper Redha Bahram Ghuloom.
The round of 16 in the His Majesty the King’s Cup continues tomorrow and Sunday with three matches each night.
Tomorrow, His Majesty the King’s Cup holders Al Ahli go up against Al Ettifaq, Riffa play Bahrain Club, and Sitra go up against Bouri.
Then, on Sunday, two-time Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League defending champions Al Khaldiya take on Etehad Al Reef, current league leaders Muharraq play Budaiya Club, and Al Najma face Al Hala.
All matches are scheduled for 7pm kick-offs at different venues.
The His Majesty the King’s Cup is the richest annual football tournament in the kingdom, featuring sides from both the Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League and the Bahrain Second Division.
Ahli won last year’s title after defeating Muharraq in a penalty shootout in a thrilling final.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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