Action from the Qatar Cup semi-final match between El Jaish and Lekhwiya on Friday in Doha. El Jaish won 3-2 and will clash with Al Sadd in the final on Saturday.
Defending champions El Jaish is aiming to defend the title they won last year when they take on Al Sadd in the fourth edition of the Qatar Cup final on Saturday.
This will be the first time in the three year competition that the final will not be between Lekhwiya and El Jaish, giving Al Sadd the opportunity the chance to lift the prestigious trophy for the first time in their history..
El Jaish will be targeting to lift their third Qatar Cup trophy after winning the competition in 2014 and the 2016.
The soilders have excelled in the end of the season tournament down the years, and crucially have an enviable record over their final opponents down the years.
In the last edition, Sabri Lamouchi’s men registered a third straight win in the 2016 tournament, surviving a late fightback to run out 3-2 winners.
Jaish will certainly hope that their Qatar Cup form will serve them well ahead in the Saturday final.
However, Al Sadd’s Qatar Stars League (QSL) form against Jaish will give Jesauldo Ferriera’s side real hope that they can lift the Qatar Cup for the first time in their history.
The final match of the 2016-2017 QSL season saw both sides clashing in a crucial match, with Sadd running out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Hamza Sanhaji and Hassan Haydoos. In the first leg match between the two sides saw a tense 1-1 draw.
Overall form is with the Wolves, who have only lost once domestically compared to El Jaish who fell to defeat on seven occasions this campaign.
With form on their side Al Sadd will be hoping they can buck the odds and deny El Jaish to pick up their first ever Qatar Cup trophy.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari, who had to sit out in the semi-final match, through suspension, is likely to return to the starting lineup.
The keeper’s assured performances in goal have ensured that Al Sadd have only conceded 23 goals in the league this season.
Al Dossari has a commanding presence in the heart of the Sadd defense and head coach Ferreira will be relying on the 27 year old stopper to shut down an El Jaish attack that scored 45 goals over the course of the season.
