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 ’s most prestigious Cup trophy against champions Al Sadd in the 44th final

AYENI OLUSEGUN

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 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 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