A view of packed Khalifa International Stadium during last year’s Emir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan in this May 2017 file photo.
DOHA: Muaither will be looking to launch their 2018 Emir Cup campaign with a win against Al Shamal today, French coach Phillipe Burle said yesterday.
“Muaither players will do their best and make a positive impression as we look to get a win against Al Shamal,” Burle said yesterday during a pre-match press conference.
The Emir Cup, Qatar’s most popular tournament, kicks off with a game between the two Second Division teams today at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium.
“I am hopeful of a strong performance since the draw of the tournament takes place tomorrow. We want to be part of the main draw,” the 44-year-old added.
Ayub Al Wadrasi, the Muaither captain, echoed his coach’s sentiments when he said yesterday: “We will be playing to win so we get a chance to appear in the next round. This is the biggest football tournament in Qatar.
We want to do well. The players are very motivated to do well and clear the first hurdle.”
Al Shamal coach Silvio Diliberto yesterday said there was little to choose from the two teams.
“I think both teams know each other well since we have played against each other many times this season,” Dutchman Diliberto said.
“The tactics are open for both sides. Every team wants to win this tournament. We will play to win this match. My players know they must give their best to achieve the goal,” the 55-year-old added.
Al Shamal skipper Waleed Mohiuddin yesterday said his team remained ‘ready for a tough battle’.
“We will appear on the pitch with all seriousness to win. We know Al Shamal will also play with same mentality. My players will give their best,” he added.
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) on Sunday said preparations have been completed to conduct the draw of the 46th edition of the Emir Cup tomorrow.
Organisers said Qatar’s top sports personalities along with representatives of the clubs featuring in the Emir Cup will attend the draw ceremony which will be broadcast live on all sports channels in the country.
The five-week event will be played in six phases: First round on April 10, Second round on April 22-23; Third round on April 29-28, Fourth round on May 3-4, Fifth round on 11-12 May 2018 and the Sixth and final round on May 19, QFA said last week.
QFA said five venues will be used for Emir Cup matches: Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Grand Hamad Stadium, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium, which will host the final on May 19.
The Khalifa International Stadium last year was used for the 2017 Emir Cup final following large-scale renovations that lasted more than two years.
The iconic Khalifa International Stadium is one of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar.
