Ahli eye redemption at Qatar Cup as Sadd chase double

Al Ahli will once again face-off against Al Sadd, this time in the semi-final of the Qatar Cup to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today at 7pm.

Al Sadd had defeated Al Ahli 5-0 in the final round match of the Qatar Stars League on Friday to lift the Falcon Shield. Both Al Sadd and Al Ahli qualified for the Qatar Cup as the first and fourth-placed teams respectively of the Qatar Stars League.

Anticipation is high for this thrilling encounter, as both teams are determined to secure victory and progress to the final, where they will meet winners of the second semi-final featuring Al Duhail and Al Gharafa, which will be played tomorrow.

Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez while addressing to the media ahead of their Qatar Cup 2025 semi-final against Al Ahli, said: “We are happy to win the league title and participate in Qatar Cup 2025, a tournament that includes the top four teams in the final standings of Qatar Stars League. The match against Al Ahli is an important one and we are striving for a positive result and qualification for the final.

“Al Ahli have achieved positive results in the league and we know this well. We tied with them in the first-leg match, but the next match is different from the previous one. Al Ahli will also give their best and we must be careful and perform better to overcome them. We are preparing hard for the match and our focus is now on the strengths of my team. This match is different from league matches and all the players are fully prepared.

“The journey in the league championship is long, and we entered the competition strongly, succeeded in outperforming everyone and demonstrated our strong character at the end of the competition. The match against Al Ahli in Qatar Cup is different and we strive to give our best, especially since we have only one chance to qualify. “Winning the Qatar Cup is a personal challenge after winning the league title. Our goal is to win every tournament this season, making it a historic season for The Wolves,” said Sanchez.

Al Sadd player Ahmed Suhail said: “Al Sadd vs Al Ahli matches are always strong and exciting. It is a special match and we are up to the task of giving our best and achieving victory to advance to the final match. The match will be different and difficult for both teams, and we are very excited to achieve victory and qualify for the final. I hope that our fans will be there and our goal is to give our best to please our fans by qualifying for the final.”

Al Ahli coach Igor Biscan too hoped for support from fans for his team.

“This is an important match for us. We are preparing the team well. We are facing the best team in the league Al Sadd and we are striving to do our best to advance to the final,” said Biscan.

“Al Ahli have had goals since last season and we are on the right path to achieving these goals after being among the top four teams in the league. This is a source of pride. The Qatar Cup match has a special style and approach, and we are striving to do our best against Al Sadd to achieve victory and advance to the final.

“It will be a strong match and the more focused and motivated the team is, the greater chance we will have of winning and reaching the final. I have confidence in my team, and we need to focus and work hard to achieve this.

“The match against Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup will be different and both teams will be cautious. We will strive to perform well. Most of the players will be present for the match, and we are ready,” added Biscan.

Ahli Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Sherif said: “Al Ahli are capable of reaching the final. The team is improving from match to match. Our goal is to win a championship that will make our fans happy and we are on the right path towards achieving this. We have great motivation and the players’ morale is very high to achieve victory and advance to the final.

“We hope for the support of Al Ahli fans in Qatar Cup semifinal against Al Sadd.”

Al Sadd approach the match as newly-crowned champions of 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League with 52 points, while Al Ahli concluded the season in fourth place with 35 points.

Both teams feature a selection of notable players who are capable of delivering impressive performances. Al Sadd are banking on their offensive strengths, highlighted by talents such as Rafa Mujica, Akram Afif, Claudinho and Hassan al-Haydous, among others.

Conversely, Al Ahli will depend on the exceptional attacking partnership of Oumar Sekou and German midfielder Julian Draxler, along with contributions from Driss Fettouhi, Amin Tihi, Jassim Omar and others. Al Sadd aim to extend their successful run in the Qatar Cup by securing a win that would allow them to advance to the final and vie for the title for the fourth time, having previously triumphed in 2017, 2020 and 2021. The Wolves have played in the tournament since its inception in 2014, marking their 10th consecutive appearance.

In contrast, Al Ahli are entering the tournament for the first time under its new name.