The 31-year-old also boasted the highest number of chances created in the competition with 21. Operating behind striker Flavio Cheveresan and at times moving wide onto the flanks, Al Maloud’s pace and vision were crucial to his side’s ascension to the summit of the AFC Cup, as evident from his team-high seven dribbles completed, while his 139 passes ending in the final third were four times as many as the second best Muharraq player, Abdulwahab Ali (44).

“I would like to congratulate Muharraq fans and all the Bahraini people,” said a joyous Al Maloud after the final.

“Special thanks go to our head coach Isa Al Sadoon who became the first Bahraini coach to win two overseas competitions, having won the Gulf Clubs Championship for the club then this big continental title."

Just three minutes into the final, Al Maloud fed Mahmoud Al Mardi who curled home the opening goal, and the club held on until the final half of an hour when substitute Husain Jameel found space behind the Nasaf defence to add the second and Brazilian striker Flavio Cheveresan sealed the win with a third goal 10 minutes from time.

“We studied their strengths and weaknesses, but they did too, during the match things changed constantly and they did after we scored so early. We were waiting for them to give us spaces and we took advantage when they did."

A local fan favourite born in Muharraq Island, Al Malood has spent most of his career at his boyhood club, and having conquered Asia’s second club competition, the forward is already looking forward to show his skills at an even bigger stage with Muharraq now qualifying to the 2022 AFC Champions League.

“I want to thank my teammates and the coaching staff who have always supported me. Without my teammates, I would not have won this award, especially with the forwards who kept converting the chances I supplied them.

“I hope this is the start of a new successful era for our club to continue competing in Asian competitions. We are already looking forward to fighting hard amongst the big teams in the AFC Champions League.”