Caitlin Dillon
Al Duhail were crowned the champions of the 47th edition of the Amir Cup in Doha last night in the inauguration match of the newly completed Al Wakrah Stadium, the first stadium to be built from scratch ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Following a breathtaking opening ceremony paying moving tribute to Al Wakrah’s pearl-diving heritage as well the stadium’s architect, the late Zara Hadid, the match got underway, and it did not disappoint.
The 90 minutes that followed saw five goals and four red cards, with Al Sadd reduced to eight men by the final whistle, in a thrilling clash between two of the Big Four. With QNB Stars League champions Al Sadd starting the game on top following Akram Afif’s fifth minute goal, Amir Cup reigning champions Al Duhail soon matched The Wolves, with Afif’s brother Ali slotting the all-important equaliser.
However, Duhail’s elation was short-lived as just one minute later, Asian Cup top-scorer Al Moez Ali was shown his second yellow card, and the undefeated Amir Cup side were reduced to ten men. Just after half time, more controversy ensued, as Al Sadd’s Tarik Salman was handed a straight red, levelling the playing field. Following this, Edmilson Junior and Youssef El-Arabi netted three goals between them in quick succession, leaving no doubt in anybody’s minds as to who would be handed Qatar’s most coveted cup.