Khalid Al Kuwari
Doha: With the stage set for an exciting round of quarter-finals of the Amir Cup 2020, sparks are bound to fly, the draw revealed yesterday.
Al Markhiya created the biggest upset in the preliminary round to make a surprise entry to the last-eight stage of the country’s most popular football extravaganza with a fighting 1-0 win over seven-time champions Al Gharafa.
Khalid Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communication at Qatar Football Association (QFA) said he is excited to see Al Markhiya in the last-eight.
“The Amir Cup has changed,” Al Kuwari said.
“When you see Al Markhiya playing against Al Gharafa and win, it’s a big surprise. We hope that these surprises will continue as it will create the much needed excitement. The new tournament format also encourages such exciting matches,” Al Kuwari said.
Al Gharafa is the only team among the top QSL sides to miss out a place in the Amir Cup quarters, with Al Markhiya, who play in the second division in Qatar’s Stars League, occupying their spot.
Rank-outsiders, Al Markhiya will meet former champions Al Rayyan in the third quarter-final.
"I wish if Markhiya will continue but I hope Al Rayyan will have a better chance in advancing to the semi-finals because Rayyan is a strong team," Al Kuwari said.
"And also we have a big match between Al Ahli and Al Arabi, which is known as the Hilal Derby," Al Kuwari said.
"It will be good to see two of these teams in the final, but I think it is fare to expect stronger teams like Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan or Al Arabi in this year's title clash," Al Kuwari said.
"That is normal when we look at the tournament's history. Also, they are performing very well in the League (QSL) too," Al Kuwari added
Asked if this year's Amir Cup final will be played at a new Qatar 2022 World Cup Stadium, Al Kuwari said the venue has not yet been decided.
"At this stage, the venue for the final has not yet been finalised. It will be revealed to the public and the media later," he said.
The Amir Cup finals have also seen the inauguration of two magnificent Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums in the recent years. The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani declared open the renovated Khalifa International Stadium and the Al Janoub Stadium during the 2017 and 2019 finals respectively.
