Shot at glory

HOLDERS El Jaish will eye their first title of the season when they take on a confident Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup final on Saturday.

In the semifinals, Jaish beat newly-crowned Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya 3-2 while Sadd overcame a gritty challenge from Al Rayyan to win by an identical margin.

On current form, Sadd, captained by Xavi Hernandez, are the favourites though the record book favours Jaish, who have won twice after featuring in all finals since the tournament was renamed in 2014.

Sadd beat Sabri Lamouchi’s men 2-1 in the QSL’s last round while the first-phase match had ended 1-1.

However, Sadd’s biggest enemy, as they look to claim their first title of the season, would be their occasional blip in concentration. It was one of their main drawbacks in the QSL, where they finished behind Lekhwiya. 

Against Rayyan too, they put themselves under unwanted pressure.

Sadd had taken a 3-0 lead by the 23rd minute, thanks to a double from Jugurtha Hamroun and a Hassan Al Haidous penalty after Victor Caceres handled the ball, but Rayyan came back with goals from Koh Myong-Jin (53rd) and Sergio Garcia (60th) to give them a big scare.

Those two quick goals had put a lot of pressure on Sadd’s backline, which was furthered depleted after Mohammed Kassola picked up his second booking in the 63rd.

“We were under serious pressure after Kassola’s expulsion, but we managed to hold on till the end,” said Sadd centre-back Ibrahim Majed.

Sadd should continue with their fast-flowing game, one that stunned Rayyan at the start. 

Meanwhile, Jaish, who finished fourth in the QSL, will have to put up extra effort to quell their opponents.

Jaish have proven performers in Sardor Rashidov and captain Seydou Keita, and they looked in fine touch against Lekhwiya, but coach Sabri Lamouchi should be a tad worried due to the absence of Brazilian defender Lucas Mendes, who was ruled out after breaking his cheek bone. 

The win against the Cops should do their confidence a world of good even though they allowed the rivals to bounce back into the game with goals from Ismail Mohammed (53rd) and Edgar Da Silva (77th).

Goals from Seydou Keita (23rd) and Romarinho (48th) had given Jaish a 2-0 lead and Rashidov’s winner in the 90th was a gem of an effort.

To accomplish their target of retaining the crown, the Soldiers, who had won the inaugural edition, will have to make sure that all their guns are blazing.