An official picks Mesaimeer during the official draw held yesterday.
DOHA: Doha giants Al Sadd will take on Al Kharaitiyat in their opening clash of the Amir Cup, Qatar’s most popular football tournament.
Al Sadd, who have won the Amir Cup a staggering 16 times, will remain to the team to beat in this year’s event now into its 48th edition.
In other matches, Al Sailiya will take on Umm Salal, Al Duhail will battle Muaither, Al Shahaniya will tackle Al Wakrah, Al Ahli will face Qatar SC, Al Rayyan play Mesaimeer while Al Arabi have a date with Al Khor and Al Gharafa with Al Markhiya.
At the draw ceremony held yesterday, 16 teams which will feature in this year’s event were split into two groups of four.
The matches will be played on a knockout system, organisers QFA said. In case of a stalemate during regulation time, a penalty shootout will be played to get a clear winner.
Al Duhail, the defending champions, begin their campaign against Second Division side Muaither.
Al Duhail won the championship title last year after defeating Al Sadd.
