Al Duhail Concludes Its Preparations For Al Rayyan Confrontation | Twitter: @DuhailSC
It will be a repeat of the 2018 Amir Cup final when three-time winners Al Duhail take on six-time champions Al Rayyan today for a place in this year’s final of the prestigious tournament.
The winners of today’s encounter, will be pitted against Al Sadd who defeated Al Arabi in yesterday’s semi-final at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on May 14.
The match will kick off at 10:00pm with no fans present at the stands under strict measures issued by the Ministry of Public Health to prevent spread of COVID-19. Al Duhail have reached the Amir Cup finals on three occasions, and enjoyed title glory on all those instances.
They won in 2016, 2017 and 2018 before surrendering their crown to eventual champions Al Sadd at the semi-final stage. In 2018, the Red Knights overcame sixtime champions Al Rayyan 2-1 in a thrilling final, and Sabri Lamouchi is hoping to enjoy a similar result tonight. “
We are fully prepared for this confrontation. Everyone knows the importance of this tournament for the club and the fans and we are focusing on ourselves in the match and not on the opposing team. I consider it a difficult confrontation and everyone is looking forward to winning it,” the French tactician said ahead of the blockbuster semifinal as his team gives a shot at their maiden silverware this season.
Al Duhail are having a trophyless season, and recently suffered a disappointing exit from the G r o u p stage of the AFC Champions league, but Lamouchi is optimistic that his team can turn the fortunes around. “Both teams are equally good. The chances winning are equal, and I appreciate the great work that Laurent Blanc is doing.
He is a great and intelligent coach and has a very special personality. He came two months after I arrived and he has done a great job,” the 49-year-old former French international, who has made seven appearances for Al Rayyan said.
Meanwhile, Blanc will be looking to topple Al Duhail to take Al Rayyan to their 17th final, but admitted that the face off will not be easy.
“It will be a very difficult match against Al Duhail, which is one of the best Qatari teams as it has a large number of distinguished players,” Blanc said ahead of the second semi-final.
The former Paris Saint-German coach Blanc said he will miss the services of some of his key players, including Gabriel Mercado and Ibrahim Masoud, but they have appropriate alternatives available for today’s crunch tie.
Blanc urged his players to stay well focused against the strong Al Duhail side despite the absences.
“If you want to win against Al Sadd or Al Duhail, you have to be at your best. I need the team to be in full focus and strength in front of Al Duhail. If any part of focus or strength is lost during this match, it will complicate many things for us,” Blanc said, adding his team has already closed the Champions League chapter following their exit last month
