Al Sadd's Akram Afif during a training session yesterday.
Doha: Two-time defending champions Al Sadd will be looking to book a berth in the semi-finals of 50th Amir Cup as they meet Al Ahli at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today.
Al Sadd, who retained their QNB Stars League title with an unbeaten run, will be brimming with confidence as they look to take one step forward in their bid to win the record-extending 19th Amir Cup title.
On the other hand, four-time champions Al Ahli will gear up for an all out assault on the unstoppable Wolves who handed them a 8-2 thrashing in the 19th round of the QSL just nine days ago.
Al Sadd coach Javi Gracia said his team will go all out for a victory.
“Everyone knows that we have a busy schedule. We play every 3-4 days, and we do not have enough time to prepare well for each match,” Gracia said at a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“It will be a difficult match for us against Al Ahly in a very important tournament. As the title holders. We are looking forward to winning it again,” Gracia said.
“We want to win this cup and we will work to achieve that. We will do everything in our power to reach the final and lift the title.”
Asked about their eight-goal victory over Al Ahli, the coach said: “It will certainly be a different game, compared to the last game in the league. They received a red card and this affected them greatly.”
“Al Ahli is a good and organised team that plays well in every match. We are ready for this difficult match against them,” Gracia said.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic hoped for a good show from his team against the title favourites.
"We have difficult task against Al Sadd. Our team is facing some problems but our target is to give our best during the 90 minutes," he said.
The match kicks off at 4:50pm.
Later, in another match in the round of eight today, six-time title winners Al Rayyan will take on Al Wakrah at the same venue, with kick off set for 7:45pm.
Tomorrow, at Al Arabi Stadium, Al Sailiya and Al Duhail will meet at 4:50pm as Qatar SC face Al Gharafa at 7:45pm in the last quarter-final of the prestigious tournament.
Amir Cup
Quarter-finals
Today: Al Sadd vs Al Ahli (4:50pm), Al Rayyan vs Al Wakrah (7:45pm)
Tomorrow: Al Sailiya vs Al Duhail (4:50pm), Qatar SC vs Al Gharafa (7:45pm)
