Alkass Digital | QFA
Former champions Al Rayyan on Monday beat Al Duhail 2-1 to set up the Amir Cup final against defending champions Al Sadd following a fast-paced semifinal.
Playing at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Al Rayyan opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Dame Traore found the net with a spectacular header. Abdulaziz Hatim curled in a beautiful corner kick and Traore deflected the ball with his header.
Yacine Brahimi doubled the lead for Al Rayyan in the 59th minute when he converted an easy penalty. Al Rayyan’s Mowafak Ahmed – within shooting range inside the Al Duhail box – was brought down by Al Duhail keeper Salah Zakariya Hassan.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot which was fired to the right of the keeper by Brahimi for his side’s second goal of the night.
Al Duhail, coached by Sabri Lamouchi, reduced the deficit when substitute Michael Olunga headed home from close range in the 82nd minute. Substitute Khaled Saleh picked out Olunga with a neat clip as the star played headed the ball into the net.
Al Rayyan – coached by French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc – will take on Al Sadd – coached by Xavi – at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium with a date yet to be determined as the QFA has postponed the finals which were set to take place on May 14, 2021.
Blanc will be looking to his first trophy with Al Rayyan, whom he joined after the 9th round of QNB Stars League last season. Blanc helped Al Rayyan finish third behind Al Sadd and Al Duhail in the final QSL points standings. On Monday, a beaming Blanc greeted his players after the final whistle.
On Saturday, Al Sadd beat Al Arabi 3-0 at the same venue in the first semifinal of Qatar’s most popular football tournament.