The Peninsula
Football giants Al Sadd on Friday beat Al Arabi 2-1 to win the Amir Cup title for the 17th time as Qatar unveiled its fourth 2022 World Cup stadium.
The tense clash played under lights was watched by the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The Amir on Friday was welcomed to the brand new venue by Special Representative H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani moments before the start of the exciting final that was also watched by AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and chief of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Ahmed Al Sabah.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and QFA President Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani were also present.
Feared Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah (4 and 45) struck two goals as Al Sadd - coached by Xavi Hernendaz - delivered a memorable performance against a spirited Al Arabi side.
Iceland's central midfielder Aron Gunnarsson (23) scored the only goal for Al Arabi coached by Heimir Hallgrímsson.
The Amir Cup final was held at the new venue named Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the Supreme Committee for Deliver & Legacy confirmed on Friday.
The new 40,000-capacity venue is slated to host seven matches during Qatar 2022 up to the round of 16 stage.
Two more stadiums are expected to be inaugurated in the coming months - Al Bayt and Al Thumama Stadium. SC has confirmed all eight stadiums 'will be delivered well in advance of the tournament'.
The spanking new stadium, that sits next to Mall of Qatar, the country's biggest shopping center, is the fourth one to be unveiled by SC.
In May 2017, the iconic Khalifa International Stadium (KIS) was unveiled five years ahead of schedule while the Al Janoub Stadium was inaugurated in May 2019. The Education City Stadium was unveiled with a digital ceremony thanking health workers around the world in June this year.
Infantino was also present for the inauguration ceremonies of the Khalifa International Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium.