Al Sadd, Al Arabi Eye Amir Cup Glory

Sport FRIDAY 18 DECEMBER 2020 ComicalC Kohli run out as Australia ttake grip after late wickets on day one We’re very happy with where we’re at, but still have a lot of work to do.d Obviously he (Kohli) was batting extremely well so pretty happy withw that one. Obviously a wicket like that, or a run out especially Virat Kohli, was massive. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon Sport |06 CRICKET: DAY-NIGHT TEST IN ADELAIDE: STUMPS-DAY 1 INDIA (233/6 - Virat Kohli 74; Mitchell Starc 2/49) VS AUSTRALIA Fourth FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue set to open today Game of emotions: Al Sadd, Al Arabi eye Amir Cup glory FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA Winning the revered Amir Cup is more than just lifting a trophy as clinching the country’s most coveted football title is a matter of pride for all Qatari clubs. However, there will no respite for players, coaches and die-hard fans when Al Sadd take on Al Arabi in the title clash. Today’s final – being played on Qatar National Day - holds Al Sadd's coach Xavi Hernandez and Al Arabi more historic value as it will Heimir Hallgrimsson during pre-match press mark the inauguration of Al conferences yesterday. Rayyan Venue, the fourth FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadium to be declared ready with two Al Sadd players in action during a practice Arrangements for finall years left in the showpiece. session at the Al Rayyan Venue yesterday completed CHAMPIONS The atmosphere at the on the eve of the Amir Cup Final. The Amir Cup organising 1972–73: Al Ahli 6–1 Al Rayyan state-of-the-art venue will be committee said that prepara- 1973–74: Al Esteqlal 2–1 Al Sadd electric as 50 percent of the sta- tions are complete for the Amir 1974–75: Al Sadd 4–3 Al Ahli dium’s 40,000 capacity will be Cup final. 1975–76: Al Esteqlal 4–3 Al Arabi filled with fans under strict Head of marketing at the 1976–77: Al Sadd 1–0 Al Rayyan health protocols to control the committee Khalid Al Kuwari said 1977–78: Al Arabi 5–1 Al Wakrah spread of coronavirus. that almost all tickets of 50% The title-deciding match, stadium capacity were sold. He 1978–79: Al Arabi 3–1 Al Wakrah gives a chance to 16-time cham- said that ensuring all fans in the 1979–80: Al Arabi 2–1 Al Khor pions Al Sadd – the most suc- stadium had carried out a 1980–81: Al Ahli 2–1 Qatar SC cessful side in Amir Cup history COVID-19 test did not affect the 1981–82: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Rayyan – to extend their record, while sales process. 1982–83: Al Arabi 1–0 Al Sadd for Al Arabi it is a golden oppor- Head of the facility at the 1983–84: Al Arabi 3–2 Al Ahli tunity to end a long title Kick off at 7:00pm committee, Hassan Al Kuwari, 1984–85: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Ahli drought. said that holding the final and Having won their last title in inaugurating the fourth stadium 1985–86: Al Sadd 2–0 Al Arabi 1993, the Dream Team, which of 2022 FIFA World Cup sends 1986–87: Al Ahli 2–0 Al Sadd defeated Al Markhiya 2-0 in the a message to the World that 1987–88: Al Sadd 4–3 Al Wakrah semi-final last month, reached Qatar will be ready to host the 1988–89: Al Arabi 2–0 Qatar SC the Amir Cup final after 26 years. worlds biggest footballing event 1989–90: Al Arabi 3–0 Al Wakrah Al Sadd, who won their last title two years from now. HOW THEY REACHED 1990–91: Al Sadd 1–0 Al Rayyan in 2017, suffered a 4-1 defeat “Qatar is doing a good job in 1991–92: Al Ahli 2–1 Al Rayyan against Al Duhail in last year’s THE FINAL order to host the 2022 World 1992–93: Al Arabi 3–0 Al Sadd final. ROUND OF 16 Cup. It (Al Rayyan Venue) is an Currently, Al Sadd - coached Al Sadd 3–1Al Kharaitiyat amazing stadium and we’re 1993–94: Al Sadd 3–2 Al Arabi by Barcelona legend Xavi Her- Al Arabi 2–2 (4–3 p) Al Khor looking forward to playing here. 1994–95: Al Ittihad 2–1 Al Wakrah nandez – are in supreme form QUARTER-FINALS The presence of fans shows that 1995–96: Al Ittihad 5–2 Al Rayyan leading the QNB Stars League Al Arabi 3–0 Al Ahli Qatar has done well to control 1996–97: Al Ittihad 1–1 Al Rayyan (3–2 pen) with 8 wins and a draw. The Al Wakrah 2–2 (1–4 p) Al Sadd the COVID situation. It’s an addi- 1997–98: Al Ittihad 4–3 Al Ahli Wolves are the only unbeaten SEMI-FINALS tional motivation for us to play 1998–99: Al Rayyan 2–1 Al Gharrafa side this season, enjoying a goal- in front of the fans,” Xavi said Al Markhiya 0–2 Al Arabi Coach Hallgrimsson speaks to Al Arabi players during their ﬁnal 1999–2000: Al Sadd 2–0 Al Rayyan scoring spree with 35 goals from yesterday. Al Duhail 1–4 Al Sadd practice session yesterday. 9 matches. Hallgrimsson said: “The 2000–01: Al Sadd 3–2 Qatar SC But Xavi said his team will in match is important and we are 2001–02: Al Ittihad 4–1 Al Sadd no way enter the Al Rayyan “It’ll be a difficult and a players and it’s really difficult to We believe in our ability to win proud of being among the first 2002–03: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Ahli Venue as favourites. complicated game. It’s the final pick the team as everybody is and we have a plan for it and, teams to play at Al Rayyan 2003–04: Al Rayyan 3–2 Qatar SC “We are in a great form and and the tension of the final can training well and playing well. I hopefully it will succeed,” he Stadium.” 2004–05: Al Sadd 0–0 Al Wakrah (5–4 pen) I expect my team to perform be very different. It’s a historic will feel bad for the players who added. Al Rayyan Venue’s inaugu- 2005–06: Al Rayyan 1–1 Al Gharafa (5–3 pen) well. Everyone thinks that we game for them, and also for us. will miss out tomorrow’s game Hallgrimsson said he has ration follows the successful 2006–07: Al Sadd 0–0 Al Khor (5–4 pen) are the favourites but this is not They’ll be ready to find and put because everyone deserves to many choices for the starting XI launch of Khalifa International, 2007–08: Umm-Salal 2–2 Al Gharafa (4–1 pen) true,” the Al Sadd coach said at all hurdles in our path.” play this match,” he said. as mostly all his players are fit Al Janoub and Education City. a pre-final press conference yes- The retired Spain star said Al Arabi ready to ahead of the all-important Gates will open three hours 2009: Al Gharafa 2–1 Al Rayyan terday, adding Al Arabi pose a his team will do all to make the challenge Al Sadd game. before the match, and all health 2010: Al Rayyan 1–0 Umm Salal tough challenge for his side. fans happy. “For the first time this precautions will be strictly 2011: Al Rayyan 2–1 Al Gharafa “For many years, they (Al “We are proud to be here Meanwhile, Al Arabi coach season, we have nearly all followed. 2012: Al Gharafa 0–0 Al Sadd SC (5–4 pen) Arabi) have not won a title and and compete, and we will see if Heimir Hallgrimsson said his players available for the match 2013: Al Rayyan 2–1 Al Sadd SC they will have that extra moti- we are able to continue to play team will play the ‘game of except for the injured Khalifa Al Athba to officiate final 2014: Al Sadd SC 3–0 Al Sailiya vation to do well in the final. So like that. We are excited to win emotions’ with a fearless Al Maliki. This is what makes us Meanwhile, the Qatar 2015: Al Sadd SC 2–1 El Jaish if anyone thinks that Al Sadd will for the sake of the fans. It will approach. optimistic more than ever,” the Football Association (QFA) yes- win the title easily, they don’t be a different match to the “We know that the match is coach added. terday named referee Saud Al 2016: Lekhwiya SC 2–2 Al Sadd SC (4–2 pen) understand football. They’ll be league. The positions in the of great importance more than Hallgrimsson said the head- Athba to officiate the Amir Cup 2017: Al Sadd SC 2–1 Al Rayyan ready to find and put all league will not mean for any- any other match. We have tried to-head record that favours Al final. Al Athba’s first assistant 2018: Al Duhail 2–1 Al Rayyan hurdles in our path,” thing tomorrow,” he said. to make our preparations Sadd will not mean much. will Zahi Al Shammari while 2019: Al Duhail 4–1 Al Sadd said Xavi. Xavi added he is facing normal for this final and not to “In the matches we played Majid Haiders will be the Second selection dilemma ahead of the put the players under pressure,” against Al Sadd, they had more assistant.

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