Al Duhail start as favourites against Al Sailiya in Qatar Cup

Doha. Qatar: Qatar Stars League leaders Al Duhail start as favourites against Al Sailiya in the first semifinal of 2020 Qatar Cup at the Al Sadd Stadium on Friday, but Rui Faria knows their opponents are more than capable of an upset win.

Unbeaten Duhail lead the league table with 30 points and the arrival of Mario Mandzukic has made them even stronger.

They, however, were held to a goalless draw by Qatar SC in Mandzukic's opening match.

Coach Rui Faria said they would be ready for Sailiya.

“We’re facing a team that we know well. They have stability at the technical level as their coach has been with them for long. We know the philosophy with which they will be playing and we will be ready for them.

“When I came here, I knew the history of our club and its ambitions. When the administration has provided us with all the facilities, our target is to compete for all titles. After all, this is football and I always focus on the next match.

“We know the value of our new recruit (Mario) Mandzukic, but we focus on the team as a whole. In the last game, we had an organised opponent who worked seriously to get that point, but we depend on the team as a whole and not on one player.

“Our new North Korean player Han Kwang-Song is training with the team, which is an additional option for us,” said Faria.

Sailya, who finished third last season, is languishing in sixth now and Sami Trabelsi would be hoping that they come back strongly from their 1-2 defeat to Al Khor in the league last week.

“We are focusing completely on the Qatar Cup now, especially the semifinal against Al Duhail," said Trabelsi.

"This is a tournament where we are honoured to compete in. They are looking to reach the final, they have a team full of stars, with great experience in European and Arab leagues.

“There is always great seriousness when we face Al Duhail. In the last game, we were closer to winning had it not been for our mistakes. We hope not to repeat them and target victory and reaching the final," he added.