Doha: This year’s Emir’s Cup Volleyball tournament will be played under a new format from May 3, Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) announced here yesterday.
“The top five QVA League teams – champions Al Rayyan, runners-up Al Arabi, third-placed El Jaish, fourth-placed Police and Al Ahli Club - have been directly placed into the quarter-finals,” said QVA Secretary-General Mohammed Ali Al Mohannadi.
The remaining six teams - Al Sadd, Al Gharafa, Qatar Sports Club, Al Khor, Al Wakrah and Al Shamal will play in the three pre-quarter-finals and the winners will advance to meet the best three –Al Rayyan Club, Emir Cup defending champions Al Arabi and El Jaish. Last year’s runners-up Police and Al Ahli Club will play the first quarter-final and fight it out for a place in the semi-finals, to be held from May 10. The Emir Cup winner will be decided on May 16. The semi-finals will be contested over the best-of-three format.
On the opening day matches, Al Sadd will take on Gharafa, while Qatar Sports Club will meet Al Khor. The third pre-quarterfinal clash will be between Al Shamal and Al Wakrah on May 4. The quarter-finals are scheduled for May 6 and 7. The Peninsula
The Emir Cup Schedule
May 3: Al Sadd vs Al Gharafa, 4:45pm; Qatar Sports Club vs Al Khor, 6:30pm.
May 4: Al Wakrah vs Al Shamal, 6:30pm.
Quarter-finals
May 6: Al Ahli Club vs Police, 4:45pm; Al Rayyan vs winner of Al Sadd/Al Gharafa, 6:30pm.
May 7: El Jaish vs Qatar SC vs Khor, 4:45pm; Al Arabi vs winners Al Shamal/Al Wakrah, 6:30pm
Semi-finals
May 10: 4:45pm and 6:30pm
May 12: 4:45 and 6:30pm
May 14: 4:45pm and 6:30pm
May 16: Final: 6.00pm
