Al Gharafa quelled Mesaimeer’s challenge in the Emir Cup with a 2-0 win that took them to the quarter-finals of Qatar’s richest tournament.
Minnows Mesaimeer had shown some great promise by reaching the third round of the tournament but beating seven-times champions Gharafa proved much beyond their abilities.
Goals from Mohamed Razark and Vladimir Weiss were instrumental in the Habib Sadeq coached Gharafa advance and set up a last eight clash with Al Rayyan.
“We have been playing very well this season but where unlucky to finish outside the top four in the Qatar Stars League, but we want to make amends for that with a good showing in the Emir Cup,” Sadeq , who took over from Pedro Caixinha.
Al Gharafa’s Slovakian star Vladimir Weiss was booked by the referee in the 17th minute but he made amends for it by giving his team the lead with a free-kick in the 36th minute. 
Barely had Mesaimeer gotten over the shock when their citadel fell again just two minutes later when Razak doubled the lead for Al Gharafa.
Mesaimeer tried hard to get back into the game but the Al Gharafa defence held firm, keeping the rival defence at bay.
Al Gharafa will meet Al Rayyan on May 3 in the last 8 stage of the event.
Meanwhile, Al Khor squeaked into the quarter-finals after winning 4-3 via a penalty shootout after the match had ended 2-2 in regulation at the Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday.
Al Sailiyah drew first blood when Tamoor Khwaja struck in the 26th minute.  Trailing 1-0 at half time, Al Khor tried hard to get the equalizer and were rewarded when Madson levelled the score with a close-range kick in the 52nd minute. 
Al Khor grabbed a 2-1 advantage two minutes later with Khobiyare finding the net this time. 
Al Khor appeared heading towards victory before they were stunned by an 86th minute strike by Tamoor who took his personal tally to two.
Al Khor’s goalkeeper Baba Jibril proved the difference in the tiebreaker, blocking two of Al Sailiya’s attempts to make it 4-3 in favour of his team, assuring their berth in the quarter-finals. 
Al Khor will now clash with Qatar Stars League champions Lekhwiya for a place in the semi-finals on May 4 at Al Sadd Stadium.





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