FOOTBALL – THE stage is set for an exciting clash tomorrow between Al Khaldiya and Sitra in the final of the 2024-25 His Majesty the King’s Cup – Bahrain’s richest annual football tournament.
The game will be played at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town and it is scheduled for a 5.15pm kick-off.
Khaldiya are set to play in the title-decider for the second time in the competition’s history. The two-time defending Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League champions will be looking to secure their second-ever HM the King’s Cup crown, having previously won the prestigious trophy in the 2021-2022 season.
Sitra, on the other hand, are making history with their first-ever appearance in the final.
Khaldiya’s multi-titled Bahraini head coach Ali Ashoor is upbeat heading into the contest, which will mark his fourth participation in the championship decider.
He previously guided Najma to the final once and Riffa twice in the past – emerging victorious all three times.
Speaking in his pre-match Press conference yesterday, Ashoor said that reaching the final of the His Majesty the King’s Cup is a great honour. He noted that all Khaldiya members are ready for the match, which he said he expects to be close between the two teams.
Khaldiya’s star midfielder Mahdi Humaidan expressed his confidence in his team’s ability to capture the coveted title. He said that their group of players have proven their worth throughout the tournament, and that their players are fully prepared to compete in the final with high spirits and great focus.
Humaidan highlighted that their ambition is clear, which is to win the most precious cup for the second time.
Meanwhile, Sitra’s Croatian head coach Dragan Tadic said that their team are ready for the challenge ahead and are eager to achieve their ambition of winning the His Majesty the King’s Cup.
Tadic acknowledged that they will need complete focus from the first minute until the match’s final whistle, and that they must exploit their opportunities in the game, especially with Khaldiya’s strong group of international players.
Sitra player Ali Al Asfoor noted that tomorrow’s final is a dream match for all members of Sitra Club. He said that they aspire to write history in golden letters and achieve an historic win that will be immortalised by Sitra Club and its fans.
He added that reaching the final was not a coincidence, but rather a result of tireless work and continuous efforts from the management, technical and administrative staff, and the players.
Khaldiya secured their spot in the title game following a 2-0 victory over Muharraq in their semi-final game last week, while Sitra claimed their berth following a 2-1 triumph over Riffa.
Also yesterday, the final’s official technical meeting was held, with both teams presenting their respective kits. Khaldiya will be wearing their yellow uniforms while Sitra will be in their red.
The His Majesty the King’s Cup is a single-elimination football tournament that kicked off with sides from both the Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League and the Bahrain Second Division.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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