Amir Cup: Al-Duhail, Al-Gharafa set to clash in title decider

Doha: Al-Duhail will face Al-Gharafa in the final of the 50th Amir Cup, after the two sides won their respective semifinal clashes on Monday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

In the first semifinal, Al-Gharafa defeated Al-Wakrah 4-1, powered by a brace from Cheick Diabate. Gabriel Pires opened the scoring in the 8th minute for Al-Gharafa, before Gelson Dala equalised for Al-Wakrah in the 34th minute.

Diabate put Al-Gharafa back in front in the 39th minute and then extended the lead further in the 57th minute with another goal. The final goal came from Homam El Amin, who scored with a great strike in the 67th minute, completing the scoring for Al-Gharafa, who went through to their 11th Amir Cup final.

The second game saw the top two sides in the league go head to head. Al-Sadd came into the game as league champions, but runners-up Al-Duhail were the only team they were unable to beat during the past season.

Looking to show their worth again, Al-Duhail began strongly, taking the lead in the 8th minute through Ferjani Sassi. Al-Sadd got themselves back in the game in the 32nd minute, when Andre Ayew equalised with a powerful strike from outside the box.

However, QNB Stars League top scorer Michael Olunga restored Al-Duhail’s lead in the 43rd minute. Al-Sadd went down to ten men in the 70th minute, when Pedro Miguel was sent off for a second bookable offence. Al-Duhail took advantage and scored their third goal, with Sassi getting on the scoresheet once again in the 77th minute.

Baghdad Bounedjah then set up a tense finale with a 90th minute goal for Al-Sadd, but Al-Duhail held on to book their spot in the final. Al-Duhail will now play their fourth Amir Cup final, having won the title on all their previous three appearances. It will be coach Luis Castro’s final game in charge of the team, with the Portuguese set to depart for an unnamed Brazilian club, according to a statement released by Al-Duhail’s management prior to the semifinal.