Al Duhail players pose with the Qatar Cup trophy.
Al Duhail have all the qualities to topple any opposition in Qatar and their consistency has made them serious contenders to clinch prestigious titles this season.
The Red Knights under coach Hernan Crespo have coped up with the absence of key players before the FIFA World Cup in a best way. While teams like Al Sadd struggled sans their key players in the start of the season, Al Duhail managed to stay among the top sides in the QNB Stars League (QSL) standings.
Having lost only one game so far, they currently hold top position – four points clear of Al Arabi – in the QSL table with 29 points from 12 matches, winning on nine occasions and sharing points twice.
Their fine form has made them one of the pre-event favourites for the Qatar Cup along with defending champions Al Sadd, who have bagged four consecutive victories in their previous QSL games after the return of their key players.
The Qatar Cup sees top four sides of the previous QSL season battling for the prestigious trophy from the semi-final stage.
With momentum on his team’s side, Crespo will hope his ranks to clinch the title which they last won in 2018. They face Al Wakrah as first hurdle in their quest for the title as both teams will square off in tomorrow’s second semi-final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The first semi-final will be played between Al Sadd and Al Arabi at the same venue, with the final scheduled on April 6.
Competing for the first time in the tournament since it was renamed in 2014, Al Wakrah will look to bounce back after suffering recent defeats in the QSL that saw them slipping to sixth from third place in the standings.
Al Wakrah defeated Al Duhail 4-2 earlier in the season before the Red Knights overcame the Blue Waves 1-0 in the return QSL leg on January 30.
“It’ll be a difficult match as Al Wakrah are one of the strong teams and in view of their results in the QNB Stars League, they’ve been doing very well,” Al Duhail’s Ismail Mohammed told Qatar Stars League website.
“Our preparations are going on in full force for this tournament under the supervision of the technical staff and with great determination from all players in order to win the title. Certainly, the championship is precious, not only to us, but to all clubs that compete in it. For me, I hope to win the title and compete in it every season,” he added.
The joint top scorer in the current QSL season, Michael Olunga will spearhead Al Duhail’s attack also boosted by forward Almoez Ali and midfielder Nam Tae-Hee.
Marquez Lopez’s Al Wakrah will mostly rely on goal-scoring prowess of Jacinto Dala, who is tied with Olunga as top scorer with nine goals so far. The Blue Waves also boast the likes of Mohamed Benyettou, captain Ahmed Fadhel and goalkeeper Saoud Al Khater.
“Al Wakrah have quality players, but Al Duhail do not fear anyone and work will be done to stop the threat of opposition. We’ve the ability to compete, our team is complete and we’ve a great desire to win this important title,” said Ismail.
