Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi speaking during a pre-match press conference ahead of Qatar Cup 2020 semi-final match which will take place at the Al Sadd Stadium today. Picture: Ebrahim Kutty
Al Duhail had a fabulous season in 2018 that saw them sealing the domestic treble by winning the coveted QNB Stars League (QSL), Qatar Cup and Amir Cup trophies.
Today, when the Red Knights take on Al Sailiya in the first semi-final of Qatar Cup 2020 they will have the same feat in their minds, and why not, after a near perfect first half of the domestic season.
Rui Faria-coached Al Duhail are entering the Qatar Cup – taking place after a one-year gap – with an unbeaten run in the QSL, which they are leading from nine victories and three draws (30 points).
On the eve of Al Duhail’s semi-final against Al Sailiya, Faria stressed his team will go all out to defend their Qatar Cup crown, which they won after defeating Al Sadd in 2018.
“When I came here, I knew the history of our club and its ambitions. When the administration has provided us with all the facilities, our target is to compete for all titles,” Faria said at a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“The line between success and failure is thin. But in the world of football, you cannot know what the results can be. Some coaches believe good work with the team is success, but in Al Duhail, the philosophy is to win trophies,” he added.
Al Sailiya, who are featuring in the four-team event by virtue of finishing third in the previous QSL season, endured a tough week in which they were shocked by Al Khor. But, Faria is aware of the threat Al Sailiya may pose to his side.
“We’re facing a team that we know well. They have stability at the technical level as their coach has been with them for long. We know the philosophy with which they will be playing and we will be ready for them,” he said.
With the likes of Mehdi Benatia, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Muntari, Ismail Mohammed, Yousef Msakni and Paulo Edmilson playing in their colours for long, Al Duhail have been boosted by new recruits in Croatian star Mario Mandzukic and promising North Korean Han Kwang Song.
“We know the value of (Mario) Mandzukic, but we focus on the team as a whole. Our new North Korean player Han Kwang-Song is training with the team, which is an additional option for us,” said Faria.
Meanwhile, Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi said his team was completely focusing on the Qatar Cup, hoping for an improved showed from his side.
“There is always great seriousness when we face Al Duhail. In the last game, we were closer to winning had it not been for our mistakes. We hope not to repeat them and target victory and reaching the final,” Trabelsi said yesterday.
“No one can think that we will win the Cup. We do not think about the cup, but think about the next match. Al Duhail has outstanding players, especially in attack. Ours is a more collective effort,” he added.
The match will be played at Al Sadd Stadium with the kick -off scheduled for 7:30pm. The winner will meet Al Rayyan or Al Sadd, who will play the second semi-final tomorrow, in January 17 final.
