Qatar SC players in action during a training session yesterday.
Qatar SC begin their 2021 Amir Cup campaign today when they take on Al Shamal in their Round of 16 fixture which kicks off at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium at 4:30pm.
The Kings will be looking to better their recent record at Qatar’s most followed football tournament when they welcome the Second Division team.
Qatar SC failed to make it past the Round of 16 in last season’s Amir Cup after going down to Al Ahli.
The Kings, coached by former Qatari star Younis Ali, have shown great promise this season. They are having a good run in the QNB Stars League (QSL), having been able to constantly maintain their place among the top five in the standings. However, Ali, who took over the Qatar SC reins at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, warned against underestimating the Second Division club.
“These matches are usually full of surprises. So we will compete with all seriousness and determination in order to win and move forward in the competition,” Ali said yesterday.
“We will not be lenient or underestimate our opponents, and we must make every effort to achieve victory and move forward in the competition in a tournament that is very important to us," he added.
Qatar SC, who have won the Amir Cup title back in 1974 and 76, have reached the finals on four occasions. They are one of only two teams to snatch points from high-flying Al Sadd this season in the QSL.
“The results presented by the team are distinguished, even during drawn games against Al Gharafa, Al Sadd and Al Duhail," the former Al Markhiya star who was a key figure behind their runner-up position two years ago, said.
“Al Shamal is a good team, and I follow them in the second division and have distinguished players,” Ali said.
Ali’s counterpart Heishan Shazwani admitted that Qatar SC will not be an easy side.
“They offer very good levels of football in the First Division. In today’s match our team will have to provide the best level of football in order to match their strength,” said Shazwani.
“Our first goal is to rise to the ranks of first-class clubs. The Amir Cup draw has brought us into a strong confrontation against a very strong team, and we must be strong, and we will do our best because the tournament is of great importance, especially to out fans,” Shazwani said.
He added: “Qatar Club remains a favourite in tomorrow’s match. But we, in turn, will do everything we can to defend our fortunes.”
