Al Sadd take on Al Gharafa in Amir Cup quarterfinals

Doha, Qatar: The quarterfinals of Amir Cup starts on Thursday, with Al Duhail taking on Al Shahania at their home ground before QNB Stars League champions Al Sadd lock horns with Al Gharafa at the same venue.

Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira, who won Qatar Football Association's best coach award on Tuesday, said he would not take Al Gharafa lightly.

“We are going to face Al Gharafa in the quarter-final of the Amir’s Cup and this match is going to be different from our clash in the league because it’s a knockout game,” said the veteran Portuguese tactician.

“The Al Sadd players are fresh from winning the league and they are now full of spirit to play in the Amir’s Cup. We could have five games coming up in 20 days (also including their AFC Champions League matches) and this needs great preparations. We at Al Sadd have to play domestically and in Asia as well, and this is not easy for the team and players.

“We will fight for the win and a spot in the semi-final. I have won the Cup with Al Sadd before. The tournament is very important for us. The match against Al Gharafa is going to be tough, especially as they have good players and a good coach.”

Ferreira added that the prospect of playing the final at the new Al Wakrah Stadium on May 16 will provide added motivation for the team.

“Our aim is to play at the (new) Al Wakrah Stadium, after having played the final at the Khalifa Stadium before. We want to reach the final and meet His Highness the Amir,” he said.

Al Gharafa have yet again flattered to deceive in the league and coach Christian Gourcuff said his players will have to be fully focused.

“Playing against a team like Al Sadd is not easy. We drew one game against them in the league but lost the other. But we have shown that we are capable of producing a good fight on several occasions,” said Gourcuff.

For Duhail and coach Rui Faria The Amir Cup provides a big chance to redeem their season, which has been a disappointment so far by their standards.

“We have prepared well for the Amir Cup. We have many matches coming up with the AFC Champions League group phase also in a crucial stage,” Faria said.

“Now we have to think about reaching the semi-finals. Step by step is our goal. We can’t start thinking about the final.”

Faria added that the players are committed to Al Duhail’s cause. 

“The players doing their best. They are intense in training and they are getting used to my methods. The coaches sometimes need a season or two, but so far things are going well. We need patience because we are preparing for the future.”