The 2026 Yemen President Cup continued with a series of compelling fixtures on July 30, as Salam Al Qarfa secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Al-Shola at a neutral venue. The result underlined Salam Al Qarfa’s growing reputation as a side capable of mixing it with the best in Yemeni football’s premier knockout competition.

Match Overview

Played under floodlights with a 9:00 PM local kick-off, the match saw Salam Al Qarfa take control early. Their first goal arrived in the 22nd minute when striker Ahmed al-Qadasi latched onto a through ball and fired low past the Al-Shola goalkeeper. The second came just before the hour mark, a well-worked corner routine that defender Ali Nasser headed home from close range.

Al-Shola struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing only three shots on target across the 90 minutes. Salam Al Qarfa’s backline, marshalled by captain Mohammed al-Huthaifi, remained compact and disciplined, snuffing out any counter-attacks.

Key Moments

• 22’ – Al-Qadasi opens the scoring with a clinical finish after a quick transition.
• 58’ – Nasser doubles the lead from a corner, leaving the Al-Shola defence flat-footed.
• 72’ – Al-Shola’s best chance: a long-range free kick that forced a diving save from the Salam goalkeeper.

Tournament Context

The Yemen President Cup remains the country’s most prestigious domestic cup competition, featuring clubs from all tiers of the Yemeni football pyramid. This victory boosts Salam Al Qarfa’s chances of advancing to the later stages, where they could face some of the traditional powerhouses of Yemeni football. For Al-Shola, elimination is a setback as they now turn their focus to league duties.

The clean sheet also highlights the defensive solidity that Salam Al Qarfa have built in recent campaigns, a foundation that could prove vital as the tournament progresses.