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EMIR CUP FINAL TODAY First-Time Finalists Lekhwiya Eyeing Qatar’S Most Prestigious Cup Trophy Against Champions Al Sadd in the 44Th Final

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EMIR CUP FINAL TODAY First-Time Finalists Lekhwiya Eyeing Qatar’S Most Prestigious Cup Trophy Against Champions Al Sadd in the 44Th Final FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016 Sevilla win Europa League Curry leads Warriors blowout Sevilla stunned Liverpool 3-1 to take a The Golden State roared back to life with an INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE record straight Europa League title PAGE 21 emphatic 118-91 win over Thunder PAGE 22 DELHI V SUNRISERS HYDERABAD EMIR CUP FINAL TODAY First-time finalists Lekhwiya eyeing Qatar’s most prestigious Cup trophy against champions Al Sadd in the 44th final AYENI OLUSEGUN DOHA THE grand stage is set for the fi- nal of the most prestigious football competition in Qatar, the Emir Cup with Lekhwiya facing defend- ing and a record 15-time champi- ons Al Sadd Club at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Friday at 7 pm. The Wolves qualified for the final after seeing off Al Gharafa in the quarter-final and edging their arch-rivals Al Rayyan Club out in a pulsating semi-final. Lekhwiya on the other hand, got the better of El Jaish in the other semi-final to earn a chance to win the Emir Cup for the first time in the club’s history. Holders Al Sadd will hope to retain the trophy and an otherwise disappointing season, while the challengers have to bounce back from a 0-4 crushing by El Jaish on Tuesday in the AFC Champions’ League Round of 16 first leg. The Emir Cup is also a last chance for the Red Knights to end a frustrat- ing campaign with silverware after coming close in the Qatar Cup fi- nal, which they narrowly lost to El Jaish. Coach Djamel Belmadi, whose Al Sadd player Hamza al Senhaji (left) with coach Jesualdo Ferreira during a press conference at the Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha on Thursday. (HANSON K JOSEPH) passion and enthusiasm are con- stantly on display in the dugout during matches, has had to endure seeing his team dominate posses- HEAD-TO-HEAD sion but produce little upfront, a situation he hopes to address in Team Played Win Draw Lose Score GF GA the final. Al Sadd 22 10 2 10 41:40 1.86 1.82 Commenting on his team’s poor finishing in recent games, Belmadi Lekhwiya 22 10 2 10 40:41 1.82 1.86 said, “We have struggled in the fi- nal third and we have to do better in that aspect. I know the strength LAST FIVE MATCHES of Al Sadd, I might change the set Stars League 2015/2016 Lekhwiya 2 – 3 Al Sadd up I don’t know yet. Let’s talk after the game; I don’t want to give away Sheikh Jassem Cup 2015 Lekhwiya 4 – 1 Al Sadd our formation.” Stars League 2015/2016 Al Sadd 2 – 4 Lekhwiya The former Algerian midfielder however, believes the Red Knights Champions League 2015 Lekhwiya 2 – 2 Al Sadd have the quality to win the Cup in Champions League 2015 Al Sadd 1 – 2 Lekhwiya their first final, after Tuesday’s dis- astrous 4-0 loss to El Jaish. “This is the only trophy we haven’t won; you don’t reach the final to lose. We Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi with Khalid Muftah at a press conference in Doha on Thursday. ( (HANSON K JOSEPH) are in the final and our ambition It promises to be a thrilling fi- had a bad game against El Jaish in is to play well and win the game. nal especially in the midfield with the AFC Champions’ League, but “I know we haven’t had the up, just as Kasola is important to cause I have had this problem all We will miss a couple of players; both teams possessing gifted ball that is a different competition and best preparation, having played Al Sadd. I wish we have them for season.” however, the team is more coordi- distributors in their respective I trust my players to come into this on Tuesday, but this is football Al Sadd head into the game nated and balanced to handle the line-ups. The Wolves will rely on game with a different attitude and and it will be a tough game. I have Belmadi said, “We have strug- highly motivated after a thrilling situation.” midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez, motivation. full confidence that we can win the victory over Al Rayyan in the semi- “We have been preparing for striker and fan favourite Hassan “We have won the League on Cup,” Belmadi said. gled in the final third and we final and a habit of always excel- this match all season and not just al Haydos as well as winger Ibra- twice in a row on two different Lekhwiya will be without in- have to do better in that ling in Cup tournaments. after we beat Al Rayyan. The most him Khalfan to deliver the Cup. occasion. Al Sadd are the record fluential Tunisian forward Youssef aspect. I know the strength of Coach Jesualdo Ferreira’s side important thing for us is to have The Red Knights also boast of holders and people say they are Msakni and Qatari striker Mo- Al Sadd, I might change the set will be without influential defend- confidence in our capacity. We star power in midfielders South very good in Cup games. We don’t hammed Muntari due to injury, up I don’t know yet.” er Mohammed Kasola due to sus- need to put extra effort than the Korea’s Tae Nam and Qatar’s Ka- bother about their record in the and Belmadi bemoaned their ab- pension, but Ferreira believes the opponents. If we win, it will be a rim Boudiaf, who will be looking Cups competition. As far as we are sence and his side’s unlucky injury Wolves are more balanced to deal hat-trick of Emir Cup for us and I to bounce back from their AFC concerned, we just want to make record this season saying, “These the final, but I cannot complain if with his absence. “In this game, know the players are looking for- Champions League setback against history. players are important to our set we have to play without them be- these things are not important. We ward to that,” Ferreira added. El Jaish. QFA FUTSAL CUP Al Rayyan clinch QFA Futsal Cup after Xavi hopes to win Emir Cup for Al Sadd comeback 2-1 victory over Sadd to-day and training sessions DOHA Al Rayyan edged arch-rivals Al Sad 2-1 in the final match of Al Sadd captain says coming to Qatar is with the ‘rondo’ to start off the Qatar Football Association Futsal Cup. The game was played at one of the best decisions of his life with, the happiness of the Qatar Sports Club Indoor Hall. Al Sadd closed the first half with a dressing room. I spent many 1-0 lead thanks to a Ali Mania’s goal. Despite missing numerous TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK fielder continued: “For the years there and, of course, opportunities to score, Al Rayyan and Al Sadd maintained a fast DOHA Qataris this is the most im- I miss things. But I can say pace in the game. Al Rayyan hit back in the second half by scoring portant competition and we that it has been one of the two goals to close out a memorable win. At presentation ceremony, AL Sadd captain Xavi Hern- are eager to win this final. best decisions of my life to the organizing committee honoured the match commissioner, the andez’s first season in Qatar We are playing a great team come to Qatar. It is a fantas- game referees before turning to the two teams. Al Sadd team play- will come to a fitting finale with very good players in tic country which has wel- ers and officials received the silver medals whereas Al Rayyan got on Friday when the former Lekhwiya - they have beaten comed me and my family, the gold medals. FC Barcelona skipper leads us twice this season and we and it is a great project here his side out for the decider have won once. It will be a with Aspire and the 2022 of the Emir Cup against FIFA World Cup. In the com- Lekhwiya. With the whole “We are very happy to be ing years, I hope to give an country looking to Al Sadd even better performance. I Sports Club Stadium in an- in the final, we will try to am proud and very satisfied ticipation of the match, the finish the season in the to be here.” FIFA World Cup winner has best way possible – by Xavi concluded by high- his sights firmly set on add- winning the Emir Cup,” lighting Qatar’s organisa- ing further silverware to his Xavi said. tional capabilities which glittering trophy cabinet. Xavi Hernandez of Al Sadd is challneged by Boualem Khouki of Arabi. have transformed Doha into “We are very happy to a world capital of sports. be in the final, we will try to difficult match, but we have Copa del Rey final in Madrid. can win and achieve the dou- “Qatar is right now one of finish the season in the best trained well all week and I “Barcelona are the fa- ble.” the capitals of sport in the way possible – by winning am looking forward to win- vourites in the final. Sevilla Reflecting on his first world. They invest a lot in the Emir Cup,” Xavi told ning my first title in Qatar. played a fantastic second season since leaving the sport. It is not just football www.sc.qa in the first part of We want to give our fans a half against Liverpool in the Catalan side last year, the but every week you have top an exclusive look back at his moment of happiness be- Europa Cup final and were 2010 FIFA World Cup™ win- competitions here in athlet- first year in Qatar.
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