FOOTBALL – Sitra punched their tickets last night to the final of the 2024-25 His Majesty the King’s Cup – the kingdom’s richest annual football tournament.
Sitra secured their spot following a thrilling 2-1 victory over Riffa at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
Vincent Emmanuel and Abdulkarim Oumar Diarra were both on target for the victors on either side of the break to help lift their side to the hard-earned result.
Dutch professional Justin Mathieu scored a lone consolation for Riffa with a second-half penalty.
Sitra are now through to the title-deciding clash where they will take on the winners of the competition’s other semi-final between two-time defending Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League champions Al Khaldiya and Muharraq. Their game is scheduled for tonight with a 7pm kick-off, also at Khalifa Sports City Stadium.
In Sitra’s triumph yesterday, they took the lead in the 38th minute when Bahrain national team defender Emmanuel headed in from inside the box. His opener came off a corner-kick, delivered by Yemeni teammate Abdulwasea Abdullah Almatari. That was enough to put Sitra in front at the interval.
Then, just six minutes after the re-start, they were up 2-0. Diarra was this time the scorer with a display of brilliant individual skill.
After receiving the ball from near midfield on the right wing, he dribbled towards goal and unleashed a low effort from just outside the area. Diarra scored despite being surrounded by three Riffa defenders, and his strike went past Riffa goalkeeper Abdulkarim Al Fardan.
Riffa were then given some life after being awarded a penalty in the 67th minute. Following a lengthy VAR review, it was determined that Mathieu was brought down in the box by Sitra’s Ousmane Malloum Hassane. Mathieu stepped forward to take the spot kick, which he sent to the right of the net with Sitra custodian Abbas Ahmed guessing the wrong way.
Neither team could add to the score line from there, and Sitra did enough to keep their opponents at bay until the final whistle, which came after more than 13 minutes of second-half injury time.
Meanwhile, ahead of tonight’s clash, both Khaldiya and Muharraq are all geared up for a titanic battle.
Speaking in a pre-match Press conference, Khaldiya’s veteran striker Ismaeel Abdullatif said that the game will be between two great teams, each with their own ambitions – making for an exciting affair.
He noted that such occasions are decided by small details and players’ focus and preparations. Abdullatif added that they recognise the opportunity in front of them and they hope to put in a good effort to entertain the fans and advance to the final.
For Muharraq, reliable defender Mohammed Al Hardan said that tonight’s fixture could go either way and both teams have equal chances to take the win.
He highlighted that they are fully focused on delivering their best performance in order to reach the championship contest.
Al Hardan noted that Khaldiya have a strong squad of distinguished players, and that he expects a highly competitive contest.
Khaldiya booked their berth in the last four after romping past Al Hala 6-2 in their quarter-final contest, while Muharraq qualified following a 2-1 triumph over Al Shabab.
The His Majesty the King’s Cup a single-elimination football tournament featuring sides from both the Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League and the Bahrain Second Division.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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