Doha: Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins and Al Sadd Coach Razvan Lucescu spoke to the media ahead of their Qatar Cup 2026 semifinal, slated for Tuesday. "We are eager to give off our best against Al Sadd. Our objective is to secure a victory and reach the final. It will be a fantastic and extremely important match. The tournament features four teams and each one is fighting to reach the final and win the title. All teams have the necessary experience to handle such encounters," said Pedro Martins.

According to Qatar News Agency, Pedro Martins expressed confidence in his team, stating, "Our players will fight to win. We have a group of players we will try to utilize to the fullest extent possible and we hope to resolve some issues regarding the squad list so we can benefit from the remaining players." He highlighted his satisfaction with the current squad but mentioned his anticipation for having more options in the future, which he believes will further strengthen the team.

Martins acknowledged Al Sadd's strengths but emphasized Al Gharafa's status as one of the favorites to compete, citing their experience and ambition as key factors in striving for victory.

On the other side, Al Sadd Coach Razvan Lucescu conveyed the team's determination to win and qualify for the final. He remarked, "This competition means a lot to us. Winning two matches gives us the chance to lift the cup, which would be a culmination of the players' efforts and a source of great joy for the club's fans."

Lucescu noted the unique challenge posed by facing Al Gharafa, differentiating it from league matches, and stressed the need for the team to perform at their best. He highlighted the team's winning mentality and ambitions for the season.

Discussing key player Akram Afif, Lucescu praised his intelligence and decision-making abilities, noting his positive impact on the team and his desire to win. Lucescu expressed his satisfaction in leading such a dedicated group of players.