The Peninsula
Al Duhail are set to take on Al Sadd in the Ooredoo Cup semi-final with coach Hernan Crespo urging the side to stay focused throughout the high-octane match at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium.
The games between the two Qatar heavyweights produce thrilling action and tonight’s semi-final is not expected to be different.
The two teams last met at the QNB Stars League (QSL) earlier this month playing an exciting 2-2 draw after Al Duhail staged a dramatic fightback to score two goals late in the stoppage time.
Crespo’s Al Duhail have been better this season than Al Sadd, leading the top flight league while they are also in fray for the Amir Cup and Qatar Cup titles.
But Al Sadd, who are known for their best combination of local and international stars, have done well following domestic break after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Crespo is aware of a challenge Juan Manuel Lillo’s Al Sadd pose for the Red Knights.
“Our matches with Al Sadd are always exciting and strong. Like our last match against them where we managed to come back at the last minute. Such matches require that all players be at the top of their focus throughout the match,” Crespo told a press conference yesterday.
“This is a tournament in which all clubs participate and our presence in the semi-final means that we have worked hard and succeeded in achieving the victories that have brought us here. And, as I have always say, Al Duhail enter every tournament with the aim of winning the title,” he added.
“Everyone is ready except for the known absences due to injuries – Edmilson Junior, Asim Madibo and Sultan Al Breik – while the other players are ready for the match.”
Al Sadd, who are facing a stiff challenge in their QSL title defence trailing Al Duhail (16 matches) by seven points after appearing in 17 games, are eager to secure trophies this season.
“Our goal is to win the Ooredoo Cup and we are very excited about the opportunity to reach the final due to the great efforts made by the young players before the World Cup. Reaching the final will be a great achievement for us, especially for this group of young players,” said coach Juanma.
“Every match has its own challenge and this tournament is completely different, and now we will play without some of our international players. We face a great competitor and we played against them in the league a few days ago. We know how difficult the match is,” he added.
Al Arabi, Umm Salal ready for semi-final
Meanwhile, Al Arabi coach Younes Ali said his team will have to be at their best when they meet Umm Salal in tonight’s other semi-final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
“Umm Salal are an organised team which includes distinguished players. While Al Arabi will have absences with some of our international players joining their national teams and some players nursing injuries, we have a wonderful group of players and are ready for the next match,” Younes said yesterday.
“Qualifying for the final requires full concentration throughout the 90 minutes as these are knockout matches where a loss means exit. Whoever is more focused will achieve victory and make it to the final,” he added.
Umm Salal coach Talal El Karkouri said his team was targeting a win over Al Arabi to reach the final.
“It will be a big match because each team seeks to win, reach the final and win the Cup. There’s no room for mistakes and the team that is better, more focused, exploits opportunities and makes fewer mistakes will win,” said El Karkouri.
“All the players of the team realise the importance of the match, in addition to their desire to win and reach the final, because it is a good opportunity, and we must enter with strength and focus in order to achieve what is required and reach the final,” he added.
Both the semi-finals will kick off simultaneously at 9:45pm.