Al Duhail players in action during a training session at the Khalifa International Stadium ahead of the 50th Amir Cup final.
The Amir Cup titles have always been special for the Qatari football clubs but today’s final, which offers tournament’s golden jubilee trophy, is colossal for Al Duhail and Al Gharafa, who will battle for glory at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium.
After a stunning 3-2 victory over hot favourites Al Sadd in the semi-final, Luis Castro-coached Al Duhail have emerged as favourites to beat Al Gharafa, who are playing their first final in 10 years since their title triumph in 2012.
The Cheetahs, coached by Andrea Stramaccioni, registered a dominant 4-1 victory over Al Wakrah in the semi-final, and they will go all out to clinch the coveted trophy, seeking amends for their failure to finish among top four teams in the QNB Stars League (QSL).
The final will kick off at 7pm following several activities, being planned by the organising committee as they promised a carnival atmosphere for fans at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue.
With the attendance limited to 75 percent capacity of the 40,000-seat venue as part of COVID-19 protocols, almost all the available tickets have been sold out for the match.
History will be on Al Duhail’s side as they have not lost an Amir Cup final since the team was formed by merging former clubs El Jaish SC and Lekhwiya SC. The Red Knights won back-to-back editions in 2018 and 2019, beating Al Sadd and Al Rayyan in the finals respectively.
But Castro, who will depart from the club after today’s final, has played down the favourites tag.
“I don’t believe in that. It is football in which anything can happen,” Al Duhail’s Portuguese coach told a press conference, yesterday.
“I want my team to be focused every second of the match. In order to win the final, we need to avoid all errors, major or minor. I want to win this Cup without any mistakes,” Castro added.
The coach said Al Gharafa, who finished fifth in the QSL, have shown a completely different performance in the Amir Cup.
“Al Gharafa deserve to be in the final. They have shown a different level in the Amir Cup as compared to the QSL. Our preparations haven’t been any different from the normal preparations. I have great group of players and I have full confidence in them,” he added.
Al Duhail star Edmilson Junior, meanwhile, said his team is determined to win the final, which will give a fitting farewell to their coach.
“We will try our best to win this trophy for our club, our fans, and as a farewell gift for our coach. Playing at a FIFA World Cup venue is a big honour. Tomorrow’s final will be a sporting carnival, and not just any normal game,” the Belgian said.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa coach Stramaccioni said his team has the potential to beat Al Duhail in the final.
“We will face one of the best clubs in Qatar, and also in Asia. But I am confident of a good show from my team as we have the character of champions,” Al Gharafa coach said yesterday.
“We deserve to reach the Amir Cup final because we displayed strong performances in every game that we played in the tournament,” he added.
Al Gharafa star Homam El Amin said the team will give its best to make fans happy after the QSL heartbreak.
“Our goal is to win the trophy after a long gap. We hope we can make it up to our fans by winning the title,” he said.
“We are focusing on the final and we will play with all our strength against Al Duhail,” Homam added.
Meanwhile, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the final yesterday held a coordination meeting for the match.
The meeting, which was held via a video link, was attended by Ali Hamoud Al Nuaimi, Head of the Competitions Department of the Qatar Football Association besides representatives from the clubs, operations, media, referees and the medical committees.
The arrangements to host a successful final were reviewed.
Al Gharafa’s yellow home kit was approved for the game while Al Duhail are set to wear their red home kit.
