Doha: Defending champions Al Sadd stormed into the semi-finals of the 50th Amir Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Al Ahli while 10-man Al Wakrah beat Al Rayyan in a shootout to advance.
At the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, yesterday, Abdelkarim Hassan, Andre Ayew, Rodrigo Tabata and Akram Afif scored the goals for the Wolves, who will meet the winner of today’s face-off between Al Duhail and Al Sailiya.
Javi Gracia’s side got off to a superb start when Abdelkarim headed in the opening goal as early as third minute, following a cross from the right by former Spanish international Santi Cazorla.
Ghanian Ayew doubled the lead with another header just two minutes later, this time off a cross by Afif.
The dominant 2-0 lead at such an early stage of the match made it look like Al Sadd were heading for a total annihilation of their opponents, but the Al Ahli players put breaks into the hosts’ scoring spree – at least for the remainder of the first half. Despite their efforts to increase the lead, no further goals were scored in the first half as Al Ahli regrouped to put up a strong defence.
Former Qatar international Tabata managed to finally break the resistance and score Al Sadd’s third goal in the 75th minute, after a pass from the right by Cazorla.
Afif made it 4-0 three minutes later, with a fine curling shot from the edge of the box which flew in past the keeper Ivanildo.
Later, at the same venue, Al Wakrah defeated Al Rayyan in a thrilling shootout after scored were levelled at 3-3 at full time.
Al Wakrah scored their goals through Omar Ali (39), Mohamed Benyettou (42) and Omid Ebrahimi (54) while Al Rayyan’s score was made of an own goal by Gelson Dala (45+3) and a double by Yohan Boli (45+5 and 68).
Al Wakrah’s were reduced to 10 men when Lucas Mendes was sent off just before the referee blew the half time whistle.
Al Wakrah managed to turn the shootout in their favour with a score of 5-4 as they booked a meeting with Al Sadd in the semi-finals.
Today, 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.
The semi-finals will be played on March 14.
Source: Qatar Football Association