Al Kharaitiyat coach Yasser Al Sebaei speaking to journalists in this file picture.
Doha: QNB Stars League (QSL) relegated side Al Markhiya aim to continue their impressive run in the prestigious Emir Cup when they take on Al Khor in the pre-quarter-finals match at the Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium here today.
In the second-round match, Mohamed Salah Elneel did the star-act for Al Markhiya by scoring twice and setting up a third one in their 4-1 win over Al Shamal to advance his team to the next stage.
Al Markhiya are eager to prove a point in their Emir Cup and coach Adel Al Sellimi said they aim to spring a surprise in one of the popular tournament.
“Al Markhiya will try to play a good level of football. Our ambition is to go far in this competition with the resources we have and we hope to spring a surprise. We have faith in our abilities and resources and we will match with an equally good performance and enthusiasm,” Sellimi said.
“We have been hit by injuries in all departments. But the absence due to injuries during the fag end of the season is a common thing. We are not going to be affected by the absence of some key players in important positions,” he added.
Al Markhiya’s opponent Al Khor finished eight in the 12-team QSL, which is played on a double lef format.
In the second match of the day, Al Kharaitiyat, which retained the QSL spot in the play-off with Al Wakrah, take on Umm Salal, which finished fifth.
Al Kharaitiyat coach Yasser Al Sebaei is happy that his team has been able to hold on to the QSL spot for the next season and is ready for Emir Cup test.
“We will play according to the high standards we have set for ourselves. We want to show to the football loving people that we deserve to be in the league (QSL). We have a lot of ambition and the Emir Cup is a prestigious competition and we wish to keep on wining,” Sebaei said.
Al Kharaitiyat defeated Qatargas League team Al Shahania, which has qualified for next season’s QSL, to advance into the next round.
Rachid Tiberkanine scored twice as Al Kharaitiyat beat Al Shahaniya by a 3-1 score line.
The winner of the Al Kharaitiyat-Umm Salal match will meet Al Duhail in the quarter-finals.
In the other third round matches tomorrow, Mesaimeer take on Al Sailiyah, while Al Wakra meet Al Arabi, both matches at Grand Hamad Stadium.
The Emir Cup competition is contested by QSL and Qatargas Second Division clubs.
The five-week event is played in five phases: The semi-finals will be played on May 11 and 12. The final will be played on May 19.
The first four finishers in the QSL have earned a place in the quarter-finals, while the remaining eight teams will feature in the pre-quarter-finals and second round.
Al Sadd is one of the four teams which has been seeded directly into the quarter-finals along with QSL champions Al Duhail, Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa.
