Wissam Rizk (R) in action in this file picture.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
The celebrations have barely died down after Al Sadd won the Qatar Stars League.
But already Wissam Rizk is dreaming of what it would be like to revel in the glory of being crowned HH the Heir Apparent Cup winners.
The Al Sadd star loved the feeling of winning the league less than two years ago.
It was the first league title in five years and Rizk savoured every moment of the celebrations. The Championship came on the back of an AFC Champions League triumph last year.
It seems now that the trophies have started flowing for Al Sadd, it’s difficult to stop them.
And as Hussein Amotta’s team prepared to face Al Rayyan in the semi-final of HH the Heir Apparent Cup today, Rizk is looking forward to the prospect of winning a third trophy in the space of one and a half years.
He said: “It appears everyone is working to a good level, especially after we won the title.
“The morale is very high with everyone and we are looking forward to playing this tournament.
“Facing Rayyan at this stage of the tournament will not be easy. They are a big club who fought hard to try and win the title so we know we will not be facing an easy team.
“They are the champions of HH the Heir Apparent so they know what it takes to win the tournament. Rayyan have the desire to win these sort of trophies so we will have to work hard to ensure we prevent them for progressing.
“I hope I am playing in this game. These are the matches you want to be involved in but it is the coach’s decision.”
History of the tournament
By Sports Reporter/Doha
HH the Heir Apparent Cup was launched in 1995 to add prestige and glamour to the domestic football season in Qatar.
The tournament instantly became a major attraction with fans as they clamoured to be part of the end-of-season glitz and glamour.
It is widely recognised the kudos that goes with HH the Heir Apparent Cup has improved competitiveness and quality within the Qatar Stars League, with teams determined to be part of the tournament.
Aside from winning the league itself, the ultimate aim for every team in the QSL is to secure a place in the top four. Anything else is a bonus.
That is how special this competition is to football in Qatar. To be part of its history, to have your team’s name on the glistening trophy is what drives every player in the QSL.
Al Rayyan can boast to be the first team crowned champions of the Heir Apparent Cup when they lifted the trophy in 1995. They won the trophy the following year as they enjoyed an early hold over cup.
The Lions may have started strongly in the competition but it is the Wolf who has enjoyed more success than any other team.
Al Sadd have the recognition of winning the competition five times since its inception. Furthermore, they have the honour of winning the Heir Apparent Cup three-times-in-a-row between 2006-2008.
Al Rayyan are close behind with four triumphs, while Gharafa and Qatar have both tastes victory three times.
The current QSL champions will fancy their chances of adding a sixth cup to their jam-packed trophy cabinet. However, the beauty of this tournament is that anything can happen.
In 1999, for one season only the competition implemented the Golden Goal.
In this season Al Wakrah were confirmed as winners when they scored the Golden Goal to defeat Al Gharafa.
Roll of honour
1995 AL RAYYAN
1996 AL RAYYAN
1997 AL ARABI
1998 AL SADD
1999 AL WAKRAH
2000 AL GHARAFA
2001 AL RAYYAN
2002 QATAR
2003 AL SADD
2004 QATAR
2005 AL KHOR
2006 AL SADD
2007 AL SADD
2008 AL SADD
2009 QATAR
2010 AL GHARAFA
2011 AL GHARAFA
2012 AL RAYYAN