Al Duhail, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan have been assured of the first, second and third place respectively in this season’s QNB Stars League.
Al Gharafa and Umm Salal, on same number of points (32) with the former having better goal difference, are battling for the fourth position that has gone right down to the wire.
The Qatar Cup format is one-off semi-finals and final. The semi-finals will pit the first against fourth-placed team and second against third-placed side. In case of tie after regular time, matches will be decided in tie-breaker without extra time.
The semi-finals will be played on 21st and 22nd April, and the final is scheduled for 27th April. All matches will kick off at the Al Sadd Stadium at 19:00.
The QSLM supervises, manages and organises the Qatar Cup as part of its mission to develop professional football in Qatar. The tournament has immensely contributed to the game’s growth in the country.
The 2013-14 season marked a new beginning in the history of the Heir Apparent’s Cup when it was renamed as Qatar Cup. Al Sadd are the defending champions.
Meanwhile, organisers have scheduled the play-off between Al Kharaitiyat and Al Wakrah for a place in next season’s QNB Stars League for April 14, at the Al Ahli Stadium. The match will kick off at 18:20. The play-off is between the 11th-placed team in the QNB Stars League and Second Division runners-up.
Al Kharaitiyat were assured of the 11th spot following their 3-2 victory over Qatar SC in Week 21, while Al Wakrah finished second behind Al Shahania in the Second Division whose champions directly qualify for the QNB Stars League.
Al Kharaitiyat moved to 16 points, four more than Al Markhiya, who were relegated after losing to new champions Al Duhail 2-4 with only one round of matches remaining.
If the tie ends in a draw after regular time, an extra time of 30 minutes (divided into two halves) will be allowed. If the deadlock still continues, it will be decided in tie-breaker.
It may be recalled that Al Shahania got relegated to the Second Division last season after losing the play-off to Qatar SC by a lone goal.
