Alkass Digital
Seeking the first silverware of the season, Al Rayyan are brimming with confidence ahead of the Qatar Cup final but coach Leonardo Jardim has cautioned his side of Al Wakrah’s attacking prowess in tomorrow’s title clash.
Al Rayyan reached the final after they rallied to beat Al Gharafa 2-1, courtesy of Achraf Bencharki’s brace on Wednesday night, while Al Wakrah made a stirring comeback before stunning favourites Al Sadd 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
The Blue Waves were two goals behind Al Sadd after Akram Afif and Gonzalo Plata’s strikes in the first half before they made a comeback in 73rd minute through Ayoub Assal.
Gelson Dala scored the equalizer in stoppage time taking the semi-final to a penalty shootout where substitute goalkeeper Omair Al Sayed shone with two blocks to take Al Wakrah through.
The Blue Waves boast the feared attacking duo of Mohamed Benyettou and Dala, with Assal, Hamdi Fathi, Mahdi Ali and Lucas Mendes adding quality to their attack.
“Al Wakrah have a very strong attack, so we must be careful and try to close out on the spaces they would seek,” Jardim said at a pre-final press conference yesterday.
Al Rayyan had finished second in the top flight Expo Stars League (ESL) behind champions Al Sadd with Jardim saying his team will do its best to clinch the remaining Qatar Cup and Amir Cup titles.
“We are trying to end the season with the best performance and results. The team will try to achieve the best and after that, the season will be evaluated. We hope that our fans will fill up the stands at the stadium during the final and cheer the team to help them achieve victory and win the trophy.”
Al Rayyan’s leading scorer in the ESL Roger Guedes, who also spoke yesterday, was confident ahead of the final.
“Al Rayyan are capable of winning the Qatar Cup. We deserve to end the season with a championship win. The players always try to give their best and get the best results for the fans,” he said.
Al Rayyan players during a training session.
Meanwhile, Al Wakrah coach Ali Rahma Al Marri said his team has a big task ahead against Al Rayyan, who he described as the “best technical side” to be boosted by the crowd support.
“Al Rayyan are a big team which includes high-level players. Al Rayyan have the largest fan base in Qatar. I tell them that I am their son and I hope that they will also support me 50-50,” Al Marri said yesterday.
On a memorable semi-final win against Al Sadd, he said: “I was very confident in the team’s ability to come back despite the difficulty of the match. Al Wakrah, players and fans deserved to qualify for the final and our feeling is absolutely indescribable after being able to achieve it.”
It will be Al Wakrah’s maiden final appearance since the tournament was renamed in 2013 with Benyettou hoping to clinch the prestigious title.
“Reaching the final made us very happy –players, management and fans alike – because it came as a culmination of many years of effort,” said the Algerian forward “Now, we hope that we will have success against a big team like Al Rayyan, who have prominent players in all positions. I wish for our fans’ support in the final,” he added.
The final to be played at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium will kick off at 7pm.