QSL CEO Hani Ballan (centre) and other officials during the launch of the second edition of the Qatar Cup yesterday at Lekhwiya Sports Club. Picture: Mamdouh

 

By Sports Reporter/Doha


Qatar Stars League (QSL) launched the second edition of the Qatar Cup at Lekhwiya Sports Club stadium yesterday.
Qatar Cup, the league’s showpiece event comes at the end of a long, yet exciting season and will sees the league’s top four teams take part in two semi-finals and the winners will face off in a glitzy high-profile final.
The league champions Lekhwiya will take on Qatar Sports Club, while the runners-up Al Sadd will meet El Jaish in semi-finals on April 26 at the Abdulla bin Khalifa stadium. The final will be played at the same venue on May 1.
It was also announced that there would be no extra time play in the tournament and the matches will go straight to penalties if necessary.
The decision is in complete alignment with the Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) policy which sees no extra time in their end of year tournament, the Emir Cup.
The launch was kicked off with a short Qatar Cup promotional video presentation and was followed by QSL’s brand manager Abdulla al-Remithi address in which he described how the branding colours for the tournament are the same as the national colours of Qatar.
QSL head of general events Hassan al-Kuwari also spoke about the success of last year’s event and how this year will be even better. “We have some really great prizes for the fans that will make a great few days even more fun,” he said.
Al-Kuwari added that there would be plenty of activities on the day of the matches. “There will be many events before and during the game and at the half-time. Ten days before the final there will be many events around the country for the public to get involved in.”
With regards to tickets, fans can go to the QSL website to find out more details and also buy them directly. There will be tickets for sale this week onwards, at various points around the city. With a total capacity of just eight to nine thousand at the stadium, we recommend that fans go early and buy tickets.”
Talking about the matches, match operations specialist Ahmed al-Adsani said, “The motivation for the teams is big; all the teams have had a break and will be ready. All four teams are very strong this season and so they all have a good chance of winning it.”
Al-Kuwari also reminded that the Qatar Cup will be going on a tour of the country and that it was a great opportunity for the public to go and see it and be a part of a great footballing experience.
“The Trophy Tour is a chance for fans to have a photo taken next to the glimmering trophy, so come along. Everybody who lives in Qatar is welcome.”
QSL executive director of marketing and communications Khalifa Saleh al-Haroon said at the press conference how excited he was to be a part of his first-ever Qatar Cup and that the QSL will be very active during the competition with regards to social media.
“Remember to check us out through our various social media channels. We will be running a number of competitions and events and we want the general public to get involved as much as possible. We will have some events in Souq Waqif, Al Wakrah, Al Khor and many of the malls.
“We will also be trying to engage the wider world, and show them that the people of Qatar are mad about football and hopefully they will get a small taste of the football spirit of the Qatari people.”
He added, “It is a big opportunity for families to be involved and participate. We try every year to improve and if anyone wants to make any suggestions, we welcome you. We want people around the world to associate football and Qatar in the same breath just like other big footballing countries.”
QSL CEO Hani Ballan also spoke on the occasion. “I am very happy and proud to support everyone who was involved in making this tournament a reality. This cup is very important for the four teams, this cup is a big deal, we have worked a lot to make the event even better this year.
“Our target every day is to improve in all areas including this competition. I am confident that the league is doing a good job and I would like to thank the sponsors also who have supported us from day one and helped us right up until now. We invite everyone to come and enjoy a few days of quality football, the Qatar Cup is for the people of Qatar and we are proud of our event,” he said.


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