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Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
Reigning champions Al Duhail have been drawn against Al Sailiya in the quarter-final of the HH Amir Cup 2020, the draw ceremony for which was held by the Qatar Football Association at the JW Marriott hotel on Sunday.
The Red Knights beat Sami Trabelsi’s side in the semi-final of last year’s edition before thrashing Al Sadd in the final.
The three-time champions are also on course for what promises to be a thrilling semi-final against record holders
Al Sadd, who have been drawn against Al Wakrah.
In the other quarter-finals, giant killers Al Markhiya will take on six-time winners Al Rayyan, while Al Arabi and Al Ahli, winners of the first edition, will battle for superiority in the ‘Hilal Derby’.
“The model of the Cup is different which has given us a shock result as Al Markhiya defeated Al Gharafa. This is what we want. But they face a strong team in Al Rayyan next.
“There’s also the Hilal Derby between Al Arabi and Al Hilal which we expect to be exciting. I hope to see Al Sailya and Al Markhiya in the final but stronger teams will always have the advantage,” said QFA Director of Marketing & Communications Khalid Mubarak al Kuwari after the draw.
Al Duhail have had a roller-coaster season which has seen them lose Rui Faria – who led them to last season’s Amir Cup success. But the pressure will surely be on Al Sailiya, who are still licking their wounds of not making it past the playoffs on their AFC Champions League debut.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd seem to have found their rhythm after a nervy start to Xavi Hernadez’s regin as coach.
The Wolves have two trophies already this season (Sheikh Jassim Cup and Qatar Cup) – all won after slaying rivals Al Duhail.
They however, face a strong Al Wkarah side, the only team to have taken points off them in their last five matches.
For Al Rayyan, Diego Aguirre has not been shy of his intention to win the Amir Cup again. The Uruguayan won the trophy last in 2013 and has always emphasised the importance of winning it.
Against Markhiya though, the Lions are on uncharted waters especially after Markhiya’s stunning Round of 16 win over seven-time champions
Al Gharafa. “All the teams are strong. Al Markhiya is a good team. They knocked out Al Gharafa, so we have to be prepared for them and hopefully we make it to the next round,” Al Rayyan team manager Omar al Azani said.
Al Arabi’s clash against Al Ahli promises an exciting encounter between two teams, who have struggled with consistency this season.
Al Ahli, winners of the first edition, have not won a significant trophy in over 30 years. Same can be said for Al Arabi, who are yet to add to their trophy cabinet since winning the Sheikh Jassim Cup in 2011.
The quarter-finals will be played in March, while the
final is scheduled for May 15.
Doha
Reigning champions Al Duhail have been drawn against Al Sailiya in the quarter-final of the HH Amir Cup 2020, the draw ceremony for which was held by the Qatar Football Association at the JW Marriott hotel on Sunday.
The Red Knights beat Sami Trabelsi’s side in the semi-final of last year’s edition before thrashing Al Sadd in the final.
The three-time champions are also on course for what promises to be a thrilling semi-final against record holders
Al Sadd, who have been drawn against Al Wakrah.
In the other quarter-finals, giant killers Al Markhiya will take on six-time winners Al Rayyan, while Al Arabi and Al Ahli, winners of the first edition, will battle for superiority in the ‘Hilal Derby’.
“The model of the Cup is different which has given us a shock result as Al Markhiya defeated Al Gharafa. This is what we want. But they face a strong team in Al Rayyan next.
“There’s also the Hilal Derby between Al Arabi and Al Hilal which we expect to be exciting. I hope to see Al Sailya and Al Markhiya in the final but stronger teams will always have the advantage,” said QFA Director of Marketing & Communications Khalid Mubarak al Kuwari after the draw.
Al Duhail have had a roller-coaster season which has seen them lose Rui Faria – who led them to last season’s Amir Cup success. But the pressure will surely be on Al Sailiya, who are still licking their wounds of not making it past the playoffs on their AFC Champions League debut.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd seem to have found their rhythm after a nervy start to Xavi Hernadez’s regin as coach.
The Wolves have two trophies already this season (Sheikh Jassim Cup and Qatar Cup) – all won after slaying rivals Al Duhail.
They however, face a strong Al Wkarah side, the only team to have taken points off them in their last five matches.
For Al Rayyan, Diego Aguirre has not been shy of his intention to win the Amir Cup again. The Uruguayan won the trophy last in 2013 and has always emphasised the importance of winning it.
Against Markhiya though, the Lions are on uncharted waters especially after Markhiya’s stunning Round of 16 win over seven-time champions
Al Gharafa. “All the teams are strong. Al Markhiya is a good team. They knocked out Al Gharafa, so we have to be prepared for them and hopefully we make it to the next round,” Al Rayyan team manager Omar al Azani said.
Al Arabi’s clash against Al Ahli promises an exciting encounter between two teams, who have struggled with consistency this season.
Al Ahli, winners of the first edition, have not won a significant trophy in over 30 years. Same can be said for Al Arabi, who are yet to add to their trophy cabinet since winning the Sheikh Jassim Cup in 2011.
The quarter-finals will be played in March, while the
final is scheduled for May 15.
