Al Rayyan players take part in a training session at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on the eve of their Amir Cup final against Al Duhail. Picture: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
DOHA: Veteran midfielder Rodrigo Tabata has said Al Rayyan camp remains confident of closing out the football season with a win against Al Duhail in the Amir Cup final today.
The arch-rivals clash at the Khalifa International Stadium where the kick-off time has been set for 10.15pm.
“I must appreciate the good spirit that we have in our camp. Al Rayyan is confident of winning,” Tabata, who scored two goals in Al Rayyan’s 3-0 win over Al Gharafa last week, said in an interview. “Al Rayyan are very eager to win the final. We have a strong desire to come out on top,” the 37-year-old added.
“We want to end the season with a title victory,” he added.
Al Rayyan saw Al Duhail clinch the QNB Stars League race and bag the Qatar Cup at the end of last month.
“I guarantee you that we will give our very best in the final,” Tabata said.
Tabata was on song as Al Rayyan eased past former champions Al Gharafa in the semi-finals last week.
“I am very happy to have scored two goals in our win over Al Gharafa. It made me happy that I could lead my to achieve a 3-0 victory,” Tabata said.
“I hope to repeat the same performance in the final because it is now the most important step for me and for all of my team-mates,” the former Qatar national team player added.
“The Al Gharafa match was not easy at all for us, given the great desire of both teams to emerge as winners. We fought hard to win and reach for the final though the score suggests it was an easy match.
“We entered the pitch against Al Gharafa with great concentration from the outset. The early first goal I think helped our task to win with a wide margin,” Tabata said.
Tabata said Al Rayyan will arrive for the Amir Cup final match aiming for the win.
“There is no such thing as fear in football,” said Tabata.
“Al Rayyan is a very strong team like Al Duhail and its numbers and results this season are the best proof of what I say,” he added.
“We look forward to shaking hands with the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. We know how difficult it is to face Al Duhail who have played so well this season. But we are determined to do our best to win the most important of all football events played in Qatar,” Tabata said.
“We are eager to do our best to win the final and finish the season with a title win. A win on Saturday will guarantee our participation in next year’s AFC Champions League. We promise Al Rayyan fans that we will do our best,” Tabata said.
Al Rayyan lost the Amir Cup final last year against Al Sadd who lost to Al Duhail last week in the semi-finals.
