Qatar- What's at stake in the final
Date
5/20/2016 4:05:34 AM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira
DOHA: Hosts Al Sadd will take on Lekhwiya in the final of the Emir Cup today knowing they could complete a rare hat-trick of title wins.
Coached by Jesualdo Ferreira, Al Sadd come into the event as defending champions while Lekhwiya - who have dominated Qatar Stars League (QSL) in the last half a decade - are aiming for their maiden Emir Cup win.
The final game of the season will be played at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium with the final starting at 7:00pm.
A full-house is expected to witness the final which will be graced by the Emir, H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and other dignitaries.
Al Sadd is looking to retain the Emir Cup after lifting the trophy in the 2015 edition of the competition.
In the semi-finals they edged out Al Rayyan 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
A brace from Qatari national team captain Hassan Al Haydoos and Bagdad Bounjah where enough for Ferriera’s side to claim the famous win.
The Wolves will be looking to the aforementioned Bagdad Bounjah for goals in this tie.
The Algerian forward, recruited in January, has made an immediate impact at Sadd and has so far grabbing crucial goals in the Emir Cup.
As for Lekhwiya this is the Red Knights last chance for a piece of silverware this season.
After narrowly missing out in the Qatar Cup final, Djamel Belmadi’s side will be looking to make sure they don’t end this season empty handed, in what will be their first ever Emir Cup final appearance.
In the semi-final, Lekhwiya came from behind to edge out local rivals El Jaish 2-1. A fine Nam Tae Hee freekick in the first half, along with a headed effort from Mohammed Mussa ensured the win for Lekhwiya.
Belmadi will be hoping that Yuseff Msakni will be at his best to overcome Al Sadd in the final.
The Tunisian attacker has been one of Lekhwiya’s standout players this term. He will have to be at his best if Lekhwiya have any chance to lift the famous Qatar Cup trophy.
Fans who turn up at the final will get a chance to win 10 Toyota cars along with dozens of other prizes offered through a raffle draw.
Al Sadd, who changed coach in mid-November, have a chance to win their first and only silverware of the season. For Lekhwiya, this is clearly their best chance to win the Emir Cup title.
Al Sadd finished the regular QSL season in third place while Lekhwiya could only manage the fourth spot after an unimpressive start in September where they lost ground on the top two sides.
For Lekhwiya, it will be a tough test since they got hammered against El Jaish in the AFC Champions League clash two days ago. Coach Belmadi yesterday admitted his team must do well against the hosts at Al Sadd Stadium today.
One of the most successful coaches in the country, Belmadi has done well with Lekhwiya to help them win three QSL Shields in as many years.
For coach Ferreira, the veteran Portuguese, Emir Cup final is an opportunity to seal the final day of the season with a title win.
The Peninsula