QFA
Defending champions Al Duhail coasted to an easy 4-0 win over Al Sailiya to move into the semi-finals of the Amir Cup.
Yesterday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Al Duhail struck once in the first half and added three more in the second half to keep them in the hunt for a second successive title.
Al Duhail will take on Al Sadd in the semi-final while in the other last-four encounter Al Arabi will meet surprise-package Al Markhiya, the second division side which defeated Al Rayyan in the quarter-final and Al Gharafa in the last sixteen encounters.
Yesterday, Al Duhail’s Brazilian striker Paulo Edmilson, did the star act as he opened the scoring for Al Duhail in the first half through a spot-kick conversion and had a hand in two other goals.
In the second half, Abdullah Abdulsalam Al Ahrak, Moez Ali and Abdul Rahman Mohammed Mustafa scored one goal each to complete the emphatic win.
Al Duhail impressed with their attacking combinations and managed a consistent level of play throughout the encounter.
Both teams started on a cautious note, with both teams content in having a closer look at the defensive and attacking formations.
Al Duhail started at a brisk pace and succeeded in controlling and maneuvering a few dangerous attacks, while on the other hand Al Sailiya were forced to take a defensive approach.
Although, Al Duhail dominated they could not get past the Al Sailya defensive wall.
First, Moez was pulled offside and then Al Ahrak’s angular shot went close to the target, in between Al Duhail's goal had a charmed life as Mostafa Mohamed Abdelha lhamid header lacked direction in a goalmouth melee. Al Duhail celebrated the escape by taking the lead.
Al Duhail were given a spot-kick as the referee pulled up Al Sailiya defender Mustafa Mohamed for a handball. Mohammed blocked a goal-bound shot of Mohammed Moussa and Edmilson made no mistake with the penalty kick.
Al Duhail continued in the attacking vein in the second half, with Edmilson a thorn in the flesh for the Al Sailiya defenders.
Five minutes into the second half, Al Duhail increased the lead. Edmilson initiated the move and Al Ahraq, after receiving a pass from the Brazilian punished the Al Sailiya defensive an elegant drive which broke through the defense of the Al Sailiya keeper.
Two minutes later, Al Duhail added a third one, with Edmilson crossing from the right and Muntari selling a dummy and Moez Ali coming with a clinical finish to make it 3-0.
Thereafter, Al Sailiya appeared a bit demoralized and Abdul Rahman Mohammed Mustafa got into the scoring act by converting a move started by Sultan Brake in the 65th minute.
Thereafter, Al Duhail dominated but could not add more goals.