Al Arabi are the champions of the 51st Amir Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on May 12, 2023. (Photo: QNA)
DOHA: Syrian forward Omar Al Somah scored a brace as Al Arabi ended a 30-year wait for the prestigious Amir Cup title, outclassing Al Sadd 3-0 in the final at packed Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday, May 12.
The Dream Team resisted fiery Al Sadd well in the first half before unleashing their attacking prowess after the break to lift the coveted trophy for the ninth time – their first since the 1992-93 season triumph.
It was also Younes Ali men's first crown of the season with Al Somah emerging as their hero in front of 37,839 spectators including a large number of their passionate fans.
With Al Sadd looking like a better side in the first hour of the play, the Syrian forward stunned the Wolves taking Al Arabi into the lead with a fabulous header in the 62nd minute. He sealed the victory with a strike in the eighth minute of stoppage time after substitute Hamid Ismaeil doubled Al Arabi's advantage in the 90th minute.
The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani crowned Al Arabi, which was well deserved for the side that remained consistent throughout the season and finished runners-up in the top-flight QNB Stars League (QSL) behind treble winners Al Duhail.
The Dream Team also earned sweet revenge from Al Sadd, who defeated them 2-1 in the 2020 edition final at the same venue.
Ali, who became the first Qatari coach to win the Amir Cup since 1994 when Ahmed Omar led Al Sadd to win over Al Arabi in the final, praised the entire squad after the victory.
“Al Sadd were very tough but we played very well. I want to thank our fans who supported us throughout the season. We had an excellent season irrespective of our victory in the final,” said the Al Arabi coach, who also became the fourth person to lift the prestigious title both as player and coach after Ahmed Omar, Hussein Amouta and Xavi Hernandez.
“It was sheer teamwork of all people associated with Al Arabi. We will now focus on doing better in the next season,” said Ali, who won the Amir Cup three times as a player with Al Rayyan.
After his heroics, Al Somah also credited teamwork for the triumph.
“We are delighted to win the prestigious Amir Cup after a gap of so many years. This historic title has doubled our joy as we have capped a fine season by lifting this coveted trophy,” he said.
“After falling behind in the QSL title race, all our focus was on winning the Amir Cup. The entire Al Arabi team, the coaching, technical and administrative played their part in this success,” he added.
On Friday, Al Sadd, who were seeking a record-extending 19th crown, remained trophy-less after losing their second final of the season following a 2-0 defeat to Al Duhail in a Qatar Cup title clash last month. They ended up third in the QSL standings.
Coach Juan Manuel Lillo said ahead of the final that his team must keep the ball and the Wolves responded to his call by maintaining around 70 percent of ball possession in the clash and created many chances but lacked execution.
Out of 18 attempts, Al Sadd had only two shots on target in the match as Al Arabi converted three of their four hits on target into goals.
With spectators creating an electrifying atmosphere at the venue that hosted FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 games, Lillo’s side started on a bright note with Akram Afif looking in fine touch putting pressure on opponents with his surges.
The Qatari playmaker hit an angular shot from inside the box but his attempt towards the left corner of the net went wide in the 13th minute.
After a quiet spell in the middle, Afif surged from the left clearing two defenders but he didn’t get support inside the box to pick his cross.
As Al Arabi struggled to get the ball, Al Sadd continued to press for a goal and Guilherme Torres struck a threatening long-range hit but he missed the target just before the half-hour mark.
A Boualem Khoukhi free kick from 10 yards outside the box also went wide in stoppage time of the first half.
Al Arabi star Youssef Msakni, who had a quiet start, gave Al Sadd a scare just before the interval racing inside the box but his hit went straight to goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb’s hands after taking a defender’s touch.
The Wolves returned in a similar fashion after the break creating several opportunities including a chance for Ali Asad, which he failed to convert from a close range following Afif’s free kick.
From there, Al Arabi turned the tide and took the lead through Al Somah’s brilliance.
Ismaeil, who replaced injured Msakni at the end of the first half, fired a high cross from the right with the Syrian rising to head the ball into the right corner leaving no chance for Al Sheeb.
Al Sadd stormed to Al Arabi’s box various times after conceding a goal but they continued to lack accuracy. Even Baghdad Bounedjah missed a chance heading the ball off target while connecting Afif’s cross two minutes before time.
As more Al Sadd players advanced to Al Arabi’s half in search of an equaliser, Rafinha set up a second goal for the Dream Team sprinting from halfway to find Ismaeil, who put the ball past Al Sheeb.
The Brazilian midfielder made his second assist before the final whistle finding Al Somah inside the box with the Syrian wrapping up a memorable victory with a fiery strike in the middle from near the penalty spot.
