El  Jaish will be looking to lift their second consecutive Qatar Cup trophy today when they take on Al Sadd in what would be an emotional final for Sabri Lamouchi’s team. The match begins at 7pm at the Al Sadd Stadium.
The Army outfit will cease to exist from next season as an individual entity after their merger with Lekhwiya. The new team coming into existence as a result of the union have been named Al Duhail Sports Club.
With the current Lekhwiya coach, Djamel Belmadi, boasting an impressive CV – he led the club to three Qatar Stars League titles – it is obvious that he is the favourite to take up the hot seat at Al Duhail Sports Club.
That somewhat leaves Lamouchi’s fate in limbo, and understandably the former French international is not too pleased with the situation. At his press conference ahead of today’s final, he spoke about leaving a mark on Qatar’s football history by exhorting his team to throw their all into today’s match against Al Sadd.
“The final will be emotional, because in a few weeks after this, El Jaish will be no more. So I am sad for myself, the players and management. We have to use this emotion to win the game,” said  Lamouchi, who has also played for Qatari clubs Al Rayyan, Umm Salal and Al Kharaitiyat.
“We are so happy to play in the Qatar Cup final. I just want to thank my players, I am so proud to coach El Jaish and work with these players. I am so surprised to be here, and we just want to enjoy the final, but the final is a final and we must play for victory.”
The 45-year-old guided his team to an upset win over Lekhwiya in the semi-final of the Qatar Cup and urged his players to produce one final effort befitting their status as one of the top four teams in the country.
“It was a difficult game against Lekhwiya but my players put in a great performance against the best team in Qatar and we deserve to be in the final,” he added when asked about El Jaish’s 3-2 win over Lekhwiya.  
He revealed that El Jaish’s Moroccan striker Abdulrazak Hamdullah will be fit for the final. “It’s good for him, and I hope it is good for us. Hamdullah is ready to play and I am happy he will be able to finish his time with El Jaish with happy memories. We want to finish our history in the best possible way.”
El Jaish defender Yousef Muftah was also exuding confidence ahead of the final.
 “This is the fourth time we are in the final. We are the only team to reach every final of the Qatar Cup and this is a plus for us. We are all aiming to do our best for El Jaish.”
Meanwhile, Al Sadd will be looking to lift the Qatar Cup for the first time in their history, although they have won the Heir Apparent Cup five times. The Qatar Cup replaced the Heir Apparent Cup four years ago.
Al Sadd and El Jaish are both skippered by former Barcelona players. Xavi have been Al Sadd’s inspirational captain for Al Sadd since 2015 and has already played 44 games from them. El Jaish are led by former Malian international Seydou Keita, who like Xavi is also 37.
While Xavi has played for Barcelona for close to 18 years before joining Al Sadd, Keita was with the Spanish giants for four seasons from 2008-2012 and has won 14 titles with them.
Al Sadd progressed to the final after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Rayyan. They took what looked like a decisive 3-0 lead before Al Rayyan produced an improved performance in the second half to score two goals and challenge them all the way towards the end.
Al Sadd will likely head into the tie the hungrier team after missing out on the QSL league title by just two points this season. The Wolves have yet to lift the Qatar Cup in their illustrious history, losing on all three previous occasions to El Jaish at the semi-final stage.
Opening up his press conference Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferriera urged fans to cheer their side to glory. “We are only playing for the win in this final, we need full concentration I have full confidence in my side. It will not be an easy game, but I am expecting a good match and I invite all Al Sadd fans to attend the game,” the Portuguese tactician said
“Al Sadd did not get any titles this season, El Jaish are a tough team and it won’t be easy for either side. The pressure is good for me and my side. This final is for winning, it is important that our players and my team have a good mentality going into the game,” he added. .
One of the reasons for Al Sadd’s recent losses has been their poor conversion rate from the penalty spot, and Ferriera acknowledged they have been unlucky.
 “We need luck if with the penalties. We have missed penalties this season but this does not mean that the players who missed them are bad. We will aim with more goals, to avoid this situation.”
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