Akram Afif celebrates after scoring.
Doha, Qatar: Akram Afif fired a brace as Al Sadd delivered a dominant performance yesterday to thrash arch-rivals Al Duhail 4-1 and set up an Amir Cup final against defending champions Al Gharafa.
Pedro Martins’ Al Gharafa stayed in the hunt for a second successive crown after beating Al Wakrah 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw in regulation time in the first semi-final. Al Gharafa goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar emerged as the hero, blocking two penalties in the shootout.
The highly-anticipated final will take place at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
Roberto Mancini’s Al Sadd made a flying start at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, with Akram Afif putting them ahead in the 10th minute. A powerful effort by Giovani was initially saved by Salah Zakaria with a diving stop, but the rebound fell to Afif, who slotted home comfortably.
Rafa Mujica made it 2-0 in the 24th minute, finishing off a swift counter-attack. The move came after a challenge involving Tarek Salman and Edmilson saw Al Duhail appeal for a foul, but play continued. Claudinho drove forward in Al Duhail’s half and combined neatly with Afif, exchanging passes before a final touch from Claudinho set up Mujica to slot in from the left.
Goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar produced a match-winning performance for Al Gharafa.
Al Duhail pushed to respond through Sultan Al Brake and Krzysztof Piatek, but Al Sadd went into the break holding their two-goal advantage.
The Red Knights pulled one back in the 54th minute, with Boubakary Soumare firing a low shot into the bottom-right corner with Adil Boulbina providing the assist.
A mistake from Meshaal Barsham almost led to the equaliser, but Paulo Otavio saved Al Sadd, blocking Piatek’s shot from outside the box after the goalkeeper underhit a pass that fell straight to the striker.
Just when Al Duhail looked dangerous, veteran forward Hassan Al Haydos, who came on from the bench for Salman, made an instant impact in the 82nd minute, firing a stunning long-range effort past a diving Zakaria into the bottom-left corner to restore Al Sadd’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Afif put the game to bed, firing into the left corner from the centre of the box in the first minute of stoppage time after a brilliant ball from Otavio.
“It was not an easy match, but we delivered a strong performance and got the result we needed,” said Al Haydos.
“The Amir Cup is the most important competition for us. We always aim to reach the final and compete for the title. I’m happy to have scored, and we hope to carry the same spirit into the final against Al Gharafa.”
Al Gharafa see off Al Wakrah
Earlier at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Ababacar set the tone early, denying Yusuf Abdurisag as the match burst into life. Ferjani Sassi then headed wide from a Yacine Brahimi delivery as Al Gharafa pressed forward.
Ababacar was called into action again, producing a sharp save to keep out Amin Zahzouh’s close-range header. At the other end, Al Wakrah goalkeeper Mohammed Al Bakri got down well to stop Brahimi’s low effort, ensuring the deadlock remained intact at the break.
Both teams kept pushing after the break, but clear chances remained scarce. Zahzouh thought he had broken the deadlock in the 83rd minute, volleying home Murad Naji’s cross, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
With nothing to separate the sides, the semi-final went to penalties, where Al Gharafa held their nerve.
Ababacar capped a fine outing by saving attempts from Hamdy Fathy and Luis Alberto after Lucas Mendes had already fired Al Wakrah’s opening kick wide. Yacine Brahimi, Ferjani Sassi and Aron Gunnarsson converted Al Gharafa’s first three spot-kicks, which proved decisive despite Alvaro Djalo missing the target.
