Gharafa vs Khor in Qatar Cup opener

LAST year’s runners-up Al Gharafa will meet Al Khor in the opening match of Qatar Cup on Saturday.

Al Wakrah meet Al Shamal in the second match of the knockout tournament to be held at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall.

The winners of the first match will meet league champions El Jaish, who received a bye, on March 22. 

Jaish had defeated Kousay Hatem’s Gharafa in the league’s last round on March 3.

Champions Al Rayyan, who finished fourth in the league, also got a bye and will meet the winners of Wakrah-Shamal match. 

The semifinals are scheduled for March 26 and final for March 31. 

Meanwhile, the draw for the Emir’s Cup, which will start on April 4, was held last week.

Holders El Jaish are drawn into Group A with Rayyan, Al Sadd, Wakrah and Al Ahli.

 Three-time champions Gharafa, two-time winners Qatar SC, three-time finalists Arabi, Shamal and Khor are in Group B.