Al Rayyan won the last of their six Amir Cup titles in 2013 but since have been upstaged by Al Sadd, Lekhwiya and Al Duhail which was formed by merging El Jaish and Lekwhiya.
Seven years ago The Lions captained by Fabio Cesar pipped Al Sadd 2-1 in the final, and as the last-16 stage of this season’s edition tournament kicks off Wednesday, their coach Diego Aguirre is looking ahead with anticipation.
It was Aguirre who coached Al Rayyan to the title seven years ago against Jorge Fossati’s Al Sadd. It’s obvious that the memories are fresh in his mind and he made no secret about his fondness for the event.
“The Amir Cup is a unique tournament which I personally love to be associated with. Al Rayyan have a great history in the event but Al Sadd have been the most dominant team (16 titles),” Aguirre told reporters ahead of his team’s match against second division side Mesaimeer Wednesday.
This is Aguirre’s second stint with Al Rayyan and obviously he has great hopes.
“We have a great opportunity to progress in the tournament but first we have to see off Mesaimeer on Wednesday. I respect all competitors and we will go all out for victory. We are fully focused on the first game. We do not want any surprises.”
Al Rayyan are coming off a 5-0 drubbing by Iran’s Estheghlal which ended their hopes of qualifying for the AFC Champions League, but regained their confidence by handing previously unbeaten Al Duhail a shock 1-0 defeat in the QNB Stars League.
“We achieved a very important win in the QNB Stare League but regrettably suffered a big defeat in the AFC Champions League playoff. Against Mesaimeer we need to play as well as we did against Duhail.”
Al Rayyan’s charge will be led by the prolific Yacine Brahimi and new recruit Yohan Boli, the scorer against Al Rayyan, although they have a host of other capable players in their ranks too, including the talismanic veteran Rodrigo Tabata.
Mesaimeer’s Iraqi coach Raad Abdul Latif couldn’t contain his excitement at the prospect of facing Al Rayyan, claiming his side has nothing to lose
“There is no doubt that Al Rayyan are superior in all aspects. Therefore we have nothing to fear or lose,” said Abdul Latif.
“We will attack with all our might and defend stoutly and despite the enormity of the task I am optimistic. The players also are confident. The fact that we are not under any pressure is our psychological weapon,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, QNB Stars League sides Al Sailya and Umm Salal will clash in another last-16 match Wednesday with the coaches of both teams expressing confidence about progressing to the next stage.
“The Amir Cup is the richest tournament in Qatar. It has a special character and therefore every team wants to win it,” said Al Sailiya’s Tunisian coach Sami Trablesi.
“We know Umm Salal are a very good team and we cannot afford to take them lightly. We cannot afford to make any mistakes,” Trablesi added.
Trablesi rued the fact that Al Sailiya haven’t been at their best in the QNB Stars League, having lost seven of their 14 matches to languish in seventh spot.
“Our players seem to have lost their scoring touch but our preparations for the Amir Cup have been good we are hoping to spring a surprise,” he said.
Trablesi’s counterpart at Umm Salal Aziz Ben Askar acknowledged that his team face a tough task in Wednesday’s match.
“Everyone knows Sailiya can be a stubborn opposition. We really have to be positive against them,” said Ben Askar whose team are in the relegation zone of the QNB Stars League.
“We are looking for a morale boost. Hope the team is up to the challenge.”
Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre speaks to the media ahead of his team’s match against Mesaimeer in the Amir Cup.
