This weekend will see Al Sadd take on El Jaish in fourth edition of the Qatar Cup competition. 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. Ahead of the crunch encounter at Al Sadd stadium QSL online has decided to look at the records of the two sides to determine who may have the upper hand.
El Jaish will be targeting to lift their third ever Qatar Cup trophy after winning the competition in the 2014 and the 2016 editions of the tournament. The Soldiers 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 first edition of the tournament in 2014, El Jaish ran out narrow 1-0 winners at the semi-final stage. Jaish remained victorious again in the 2015 edition of the tournament with a commanding 3-1 win. 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. However Al Sadd’s League form against Jaish will give Jesaldo 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 take each other on with Sadd running out 2-1 winners. Whilst in the first match between the sides saw a tense 1-1 draw between the sides. 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.
Wolves captain aiming for Qatar Cup glory
Sadd and Jaish’s captains will certainly be no strangers when they face off with Qatar Cup glory on the line.
Both Xavi of Al Sadd and Seydou Keita of El Jaish enjoyed four seasons together at FC Barcelona during one of the most successful periods of the Spanish club’s history. Both players now enjoying starring roles for their new sides, and will be targeting their first piece of silverware in Qatar in the form of the Qatar Cup trophy.
Xavi joined QSL side Al Sadd to much fan-fare in the summer of 2015. Since he has been putting on impressive performances in the centre of midfield for the Wolves. Xavi was immediately handed the captain’s armband and the 37-year-old has been leading by example in this relatively young Al Sadd side.
This season in particular the former Spanish international has flourished in his role as the Wolves playmaker, registering the most assists in the QSL for his side. Whilst Xavi’s tally of ten goals this season represents his highest ever league total in his fourteen year career to date. Xavi has certainly enjoyed his time with Al Sadd, and only in January signed a one season contact extension which will see the midfielder stay with the Wolves to the end of the 2017/2018 season.
During his time in Qatar, the midfield maestro has aided Al Sadd to third and second place finishes in the QSL, whilst missing out in the semi-finals of both the Qatar Cup and Emir Cup competitions. Now in the final of the Qatar Cup, Xavi will be hoping to add to impressive haul of 31 winner’s medals during his club and international career.
Keita eyeing final trophy for El Jaish
Meanwhile, Keita was recruited by El Jaish in the summer of 2017 as a last-minute replacement for long term injury Abdulrazak Hamdullah. At his first press conference, Jaish boss Sabri Lamouchi admitted that he has been looking to sign the former Malian international for the last few seasons.
It wasn’t long until Keita repaid the faith of his manager, opening the scoring in his side’s 1-1 draw against fellow title contenders Al Rayyan. Keita’s appearances has been reduced due to injuries and suspension, however a return of six goals in sixteen outings represents an impressive haul from the 37-year-old who is not known for his goal scoring prowess.
Whilst El Jaish’s early league form may have slid away, ending with a fourth place finish, Keita has still remained influential when it has mattered for the soldiers. The Malian opened the scoring as El Jaish got the better of their local rivals Lekhwiya with a 3-2 win to progress to this year’s Qatar Cup final.
With no word yet on Keita’s future the Qatar Cup final represents one of the last chances to win a trophy for the El Jaish captain. Keita will certainly be leading by example to ensure that the soldiers fight for their second consecutive Qatar Cup win.
File picture of Al Sadd captain Xavi Hernandez (left) and El Jaish skipper Keita.
