Action during the match between Al Ahli and Al Markhiya.
Doha: Coach Sami Trabelsi was confident of Al Sailiya’s turnaround at the 50th Amir Cup and his ranks responded well by inflicting a shock 2-0 defeat on Al Arabi in their Round of 16 clash yesterday.
The Peregrines, who are rock bottom in the QNB Stars League (QSL) table, looked a much improved side particularly in defense as they knocked the Dream Team out of the prestigious tournament at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Fifth-placed Al Arabi are enjoying a good QSL season, targeting a top-four finish in the league. But their dreams of reaching far in the Amir Cup were shattered by Trabelsi’s side, who went ahead with a 32nd minute spot kick by Walter Bwalya.
Despite repeated attacks for an equaliser, Al Arabi struggled to tame Al Sailiya’s solid defense, which thwarted over 10 attempts from them in the match. Dostonbek Khamdamov put the matter beyond Al Arabi’s reach with a strike in 63rd minute, sealing a much needed win for Trabelsi. In the quarter-finals, Al Sailiya will meet Al Duhail or Al Khor, who will square off today in their Round of 16 match.
Earlier at the same venue, Al Ahli eased past Al Markhiya 3-0 after a dominant show to storm into the quarter-finals.
The Brigadiers scored two quick goals through Jose Angel Poz (15’) and Abdurahman Al Harazi (18’) to take the game away from Al Markhiya. The Nebojsa Jovovic-coached side continued to control the match, with Hassan Ahmad sealing the victory with a goal in 62nd minute.
Al Markhiya took a couple of shots on target but failed to open their account. Al Ahli now face two-time defending champions Al Sadd in the quarter-final.
Cordova eyes winning start with Al Rayyan
Meanwhile, coach Nicolas Cordova is hoping for a winning start with Al Rayyan, who will face an in-form Umm Salal at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, today.
The former Chilean international, who is a coach of Qatar U-23 team, replaced Frenchman Laurent Blanc for the rest of the season.
Cordova said it’s an honour to coach the top Qatari club, saying he was looking to guide the side far in the tournament.
“I am very pleased to take up the responsibility of coaching a big team like Al Rayyan. I am optimistic that it will be a good start for me with the most popular team in Qatar,” Cordova told a press conference yesterday.
Coach Wesam Rizik, who has helped Umm Salal leapfrog to sixth position in the QSL, said his team will go with confidence in the “tough” match.
“The Amir Cup is special as it is completely different from the league. Our game is one of the toughest in this round. We respect Al Rayyan a lot. We have confidence in our players and we are counting on their performance on the pitch,” said Rizik.
Meanwhile, coach Luis Castro said title-contenders Al Duhail cannot take struggling Al Khor side lightly as the two sides meet at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium.
“For us at Al Duhail, names do not create glory. It’s what we do on the pitch that will give us win,” said Castro.
Al Khor coach Andre Luis Lima was targeting an upset to reach the quarter-finals. “Al Duhail is a strong team and one of the favourites to win the title, but this is a one-off game and anything is possible. We will give our best to stay in contention for the trophy,” said Lima.
ROUND OF 16
Yesterday’s Results
Al Ahli beat Al Markhiya 3-0
Al Sailiya beat Al Arabi 2-0
Today’s Fixtures
4:40pm: Al Duhail vs Al Khor at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium
7:30pm: Al Rayyan vs Umm Salal at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium
