Al Sadd Start Favourites in Semi-Finals of the Big Four Today

Al Sadd Start Favourites in Semi-Finals of the Big Four Today

QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Tsitsipas rallies from two sets down to shock Nadal at AO PAGE 14 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 Qatar Cup: Al Sadd start favourites in semi-finals of the big four today “We want to win all tournaments this season and if we play at the “I can confidently say that my team will work hard to achieve victory same level as we’ve done in the (QNB Stars) League, it’ll be difficult to over Al Sadd. Either you win and continue the journey, or you lose and beat Al Sadd in the 2021 Qatar Cup semi-final”: Al Sadd coach Xavi exit the competition”: Al Rayyan head coach Laurent Blanc on thei Hernandez at the pre-match conference on Wednesday. Qatar Cup semi-final match against Al Sadd. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the title. Xavi Hernandez’s the best way to lose form or fit- DOHA men currently lead the league ness,” the Spaniard added. table by a whopping 13 points Xavi praised Baghdad THE four top clubs of the last over rivals Al Duhail. Bounedjah, singling out the season (Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al On the eve of the match, Algerian striker for his work Rayyan, Al Gharafa) will be Xavi admitted his side were ethic. “Baghdad Bounedjah, seen in action at the the Qatar clear favourites but urged his for example, is doing an amaz- Cup semi-finals on Thursday. players not to take any game ing job and he’s one of the best Al Sadd take on Al Rayy- lightly and called on them to attackers in Asia, not only in an in a blockbuster first last win all the tournaments. Qatar. He attacks, passes, de- four clash at the Abdullah bin “Al Sadd are going through fends as well and enjoys the Khalifa Stadium while reign- very special moments in the game. He has scored 18 goals “It will be a difficult match against Al Gharafa. This is our first cup “We must be careful and double our efforts in order to achieve victory”: ing QNB Stars League cham- league and we are close to win- this season and he always competition after our participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. We’re Al Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic on his team facing Al Duhail. pions Al Duhail will take on Al ning the title. We want to win works with humility,” he said expected to do well and reach the final of the Qatar Cup”: Al Duhail Gharafa at the same venue. all tournaments this season “Though the players are coach Sabri Lamouchi. ing beaten Rayyan in the to be on top of our game and Al Rayyan and Al Sadd and if we play at the same level working for the team and league last week after they had focus,” he said. are the strong contenders and as we’ve done in the league, we’re on the right path, the Blanc acknowledged the huge Al Sadd and Al Duhail are finished fifthin the FIFA Club Al Gharafa coach Slavisa traditional rivals. The match it’ll be difficult to beat Al Sadd truth is that I’m very lucky task on hand. the only two teams that World Cup held in Qatar. Jokanovic said: “Facing Al brings together the second (Al in the Qatar Cup semi-final. to have these players. Such “I can confidently say that can be deemed to be bet- The Red Knights’ coach Duhail will be exciting. It’s Rayyan) and third-placed (Al But we must show humility players give the coach an op- my team will work hard to ter than others. Personally, Sabri Lamouchi said the Qatar an opportunity to reach the Sadd) teams in the 2019-20 because Al Rayyan have de- portunity to push them more. achieve victory over Al Sadd. I would’ve liked to face Al Cup was an important tourna- final of the tournament and season QNB Stars League. veloped a lot under coach Lau- The Qatar league isn’t easy I hope that the team will be at Sadd and Al Duhail but not ment and his team was look- be crowned the champions. The matches between Al rent Blanc,” the former Barce- at all. Our ambition is to win its best in this difficult match. now, but rather later because ing forward to winning it. Al Duhail have made a strong Rayyan and Al Sadd, be it lona midfielder said yesterday. the AFC Champions League, Qatar Cup matches are always we still have to work a lot “It will be a difficult match comeback recently, therefore in the league or cup tourna- “The match won’t be easy but there is the Amir Cup and full of excitement and there’s until the desired results are against Al Gharafa. This is our playing against them won’t ments, always evoke keen in- and I see it as a final beforethe Qatar Cup before that and no room for complacency. Ei- achieved,” Blanc added. first cup competition after our be easy at all. Although we terest on and off the field. Both actual final. Qatar Cup match- we’ll fight to win all of them,” ther you win and continue the The Al Duhail and Al participation in the FIFA Club weren’t at our best level in the teams have star-studded line- es are always different from added Xavi. journey, or you lose and exit Gharafa face-off promises to World Cup. We’re expected to last match against Al Sailiya in ups as well as large and loyal the league. I’m very proud of Meanwhile, Rayyan, who the competition,” the French- be an exciting contest. do well and reach the final of the league, this match is a good fan bases. our teamwork this season and lost to Al Duhail in QNB Stars man said. Al Duhail are currently the Qatar Cup. This is an im- opportunity to compensate for But undoubtedly Al Sadd I’m always keen on motivating League last week, will be keen “We aren’t a weak team, placed second in the league ta- portant assignment and we’re that poor show and provide will go into the match as the the players to constantly give to make amends against Al but we won’t claim that we’re ble, while Gharafa are fourth. looking forward to winning it. better results and qualify for overwhelming favourite for their best because relaxation is Sadd. However, coach Laurent better than other teams as Duhail are in good form hav- In order to achieve this, we’ve the final.” Mbappe shows he can be the next football great Frenchman scores hat-trick in PSG’s 4-1 win over Barcelona I’ve always wanted to give my best for PSG, it’s a club DPA “I’ve always wanted to give BERLIN my best for PSG, it’s a club that means a lot to me. The that means a lot to me. I’ve not (PSG) jersey touches my SEASONS change but the fact always been successful and I heart. Today my hard work that Paris Saint-Germain are know I’ve had bad games, but I is worth it. yet to fully be able to rely on never tried to hide myself, not Neymar doesn’t. even when I made mistakes,” Kylian And now the most expen- he added. Mbappe sive player in football history In the absence of Neymar, is slowly getting overshad- who already missed 46 games owed by team-mate Kylian due to injury or illness since Mbappe. joining PSG in 2017 accord- On Tuesday evening, the ing to ESPN Brasil, Mbappe France forward led PSG with has stepped up as the leading a hat-trick in a stunning 4-1 character on the pitch. victory at Barcelona in the With his hat-trick against Champions League round of Barcelona he became PSG’s 16 first leg. third best scorer in history Mbappe has recently faced with 111 goals, behind Edinson a wave of criticism in his home Cavani (200) and Zlatan Ibra- country. himovic (156). His performances have re- His performance also Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe scores his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA ceived bad reviews from the raised questions if he can be- Champions League round of 16 first leg match against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium in media and the lack of goals in come a football great on the Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday. (AFP) important games, such as the same level of Lionel Messi and a move to Bayern this week the job done.” 2-1 win against Olympique Cristiano Ronaldo. cessful phase of his career and I’ve always said I’m happy Champions League having - fluffed a 58th minute clear- Liverpool, riddled with de- Marseille in the French Super Barcelona’s Antoine Griez- consolidated himself as one of here. After this kind of battle, won 2-0 away to RB Leipzig. ance, Mane showed no mercy. fensive problems and injuries Cup, didn’t help his case. mann and Mbappe’s team- the best players in the world, I’m even happier,” he said. Liverpool slowly took con- “It was an important all season, are out of conten- But the Barcelona game mate at France has no doubts. have reportedly been watching Former Real Madrid star trol and had already threat- game for us, a tough game tion to retain their Premier could be a turning point “Kylian had a great even- Mbappe for a while.

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