Qatar Tribune
The 48th Amir Cup kicks into gear on Wednesday when six-time champions Al Rayyan take on second division team Mesaimeer at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, while Al Sailiya battle fellow struggling Qatar Stars League side Umm Salal.
Unilke the previous pool system, this year 16 teams battle for a spot in the last eight, where another draw will be held to determine the matches in the quarter-finals.
Al Rayyan, currently second in the QNB Stars League are clear favourites against Mesaimeer, who are sixth in the second division.
The Lions however, last won the prestigious tournament in 2013 during Diego Aguirre’s first spell as coach. The Uruguayan, in his second stint, is keen to win the title again for Al Rayyan -- who lost back-to-back finals against Al Sadd and Al Duhail in 2017 and 2018.
“The first match will be very important and we need to win to continue the journey. Our goal is to reach the final and win the title. I realise that the competition will be very strong, but we can win if we stay focused,” Aguirre noted ahead of the match.
Yohan Boli’s goal fired Al Rayyan past Al Duhail on Saturday in the league. With momentum on their side after a string of shock defeats, Aguirre said his side will take Mesaimeer seriously.
“We respect the opponent and must continue to work hard to achieve victory. Everyone expects us to qualify against Mesaimeer but we need to be cautious and avoid any surprises.”
For Mesaimmer coach Raad Abdullatif, Al Rayyan’s status will hold little water for his team despite the vast differences between both sides.
Abdullatif’s side beat Al Shamal by a lone goal in the playoff to qualify for the last 16 and the Iraqi coach says his team will not be easy to beat.
“Taking part in the Prince Cup Amir Cup is off important value to us, and I have spoken to the players about how to deal with the circumstances of the match,” the coach said.
“I have told them to play with great caution. The team is physically ready and everyone is excited about the match.”
Al Sailiya vs Umm Salal
Sami Trabelsi’s Al Sailiya will be hoping to put behind a miserable week that saw them knocked out of the AFC Champions League before a 3-0 defeat to Al Sadd over the weekend.
The Peregrines, however, face an Umm Salal side on the back of a win and a draw, a change in fortune after losing six straight matches.
Al Sailiya, 2014 finalists, lost to eventual champion Al Duhail in last year’s final but Trabelsi sees the Amir Cup as an opportunity to right their season.
“Our preparations have been good and we will play with caution because it is a knockout in the Cup competition. Cup matches are not easy and the team that is able to maintain its focus to the end will win.
Our recent results haven’t been good and we are fighting to get out of this slump, but we also know that Umm Salal is also looking to restore confidence,” Trabelsi said.
Umm Salal coach Aziz Ben Askar, who was part of the title-winning team in 2008, said the importance of winning such trophy would spur his players to give their best on Wednesday.
“I won it as a player with Umm Salal in 2008, so I have some experiences and I think they are important and allow me to offer some insight into the players.
I believe that the team needs to develop its capabilities and everyone knows the value of the Cup. So we will only play for victory because a loss will be a disappointment for us,” said coach Askar.