Everton broke Hidd’s hearts as he scored in stoppage time to help Muharraq clinch the King Cup for the 19th time last night.
The final, held at an empty Khalifa Sports City Stadium, saw both start off cautiously, preventing each other from making any inroads.
The first scoring chance came in the 23rd minute when a perfect cross by Hidd’s Muhammad Faris was fended off by Muharraq’s defence.
Muharraq’s responses by Jamal Rashid just two minutes later and Thiago Augusto in the 42nd minute were both deftly thwarted.
Hidd began the second half strongly with Giovanni Santos almost on target with a powerful shot. Muharraq goalkeeper Syed Mohammed Jaafar’s timely intervention ensured that the ball went over the crossbar.
Hidd, the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League champions, continued to attack through captain Abdul Wahab Al Maloud and Mohammed Faris while Muharraq played a waiting game, looking for an opportunity to strike.
The scoring opportunity finally came in the second minute of stoppage time when Everton deflected a perfect cross from Jamal Rashid past Hidd goalkeeper Abbas Ahmed.
Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) first deputy chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalif bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who was deputised by His Majesty the King, presented the winners with the trophy.
In the semi-final series held earlier this year, Muharraq defeated Manama with an aggregate score of 3-1 while Hidd moved past Riffa, in another 3-1 aggregate victory.
Muharraq last won the cup in 2016 while claimed it in 2015.
Shaikh Khalid congratulated Muharraq on their victory. “His Majesty’s support has helped sports reach new heights in Bahrain,” he said. “Backed by the vision of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain is making an impact in international football which is evidenced by winning the 2019 West Asian Football Federation title as well as the Gulf Cup.”
Meanwhile, Shaikh Nasser, His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and SCYS chairman, congratulated Muharraq for a deserving victory in the final, adding that the triumph is an extension of the team’s achievements in the past years.
Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Ayman bin Tawfiq Almoayyed, SCYS secretary general and Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and Bahrain Football Association president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa also congratulated Muharraq.