Al Sadd coach Juan Manuel Lillo (left) and Al Shahania coach Alvaro Mejia during pre-match press conferences yesterday. Pictures: Abdul Basit
Al Sadd are aware of a threat from Al Shahania as tournament’s most decorated side meet the Second Division team in the first semi-final of the Amir Cup to be played at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium today.
Al Shahania have enjoyed a fairytale run in the prestigious tournament so far knocking out QNB Stars League (QSL) sides Al Wakrah and Al Gharafa on their way to the semi-finals.
Al Sadd coach Juan Manuel Lillo, whose side is eyeing a record-extending 19th Amir Cup crown, has said his team will take on Al Shahania with full strength with an eye on the final.
The winners of today’s game will meet the victorious side of tomorrow’s second semi-final between Al Arabi and Al Sailiya in the final. The title clash will take place at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on May 12.
Al Sadd have marched comfortably to the semi-finals, having thrashed Al Markhiya 4-0 in the Round of 16 before outplaying Umm Salal 3-1 in the quarter-final.
But Lillo was expecting a tough challenge from Al Shahania, who he said have the potential of pulling off another upset.
“Al Shahania surprised everybody with their first win in the Amir Cup but their second victory [against Al Gharafa] wasn’t a surprise. They have proved themselves as a strong side with their performance in the tournament as well as in the Second Division,” Al Sadd coach told a press conference yesterday.
Al Sadd's Rodrigo Tabata, Guilherme and Santi Cazorla during a training session.
Al Sadd are in a unfamiliar situation as they are facing a trophy drought this season with Al Duhail capturing the Ooredoo Cup and Qatar Cup crowns, and are leading the QSL standings with three matches remaining. The Wolves, who are third on the points table, are trailing them by seven points in the league.
Lillo knows the coveted Amir Cup is the best chance of silverware for his side this season.
“We will give our best to reach the final. Our total focus right now is tomorrow’s semi-final against Al Shahania and we will give them full respect,” he said.
Sitting alongside the coach, Al Sadd’s Ahmed Al Saeed said: “Al Shahania have been a surprise of the tournament. The match will not be easy but we hope to qualify for the final of the most prestigious tournament. As players, we must make full use of the opportunities provided to us by the coach and give our best.”
Meanwhile, Al Shahania coach Alvaro Mejia said his team was confident ahead of the semi-final against Al Sadd.
“We are ready to face Al Sadd. We are proud of what we have achieved in the tournament so far. We are playing against a different team which has the best players in Qatar. But, we must not be afraid and we must focus on winning,” he told reporters yesterday.
Al Shahania’s Abdulrahman Mesaad said winning the Amir Cup was his team’s main goal.
“This tournament is dear to us. There is no pressure on us ahead of this game against Al Sadd. Our goal is the Amir Cup and we have a great desire to beat Al Sadd and reach the final,” he said.
The match will kick off at 6:45pm.
