Al Rayyan captain Fabio Cesar (L) , coach Sergio Aguirre (second from left), Al Sadd captain Raul (extreme right) and coach Hussein Amotta (second from right) pose with the Emir Cup at their pre-final press conference.
By Anil John/Doha
It’s that day of the year when all roads lead to the Khalifa Stadium as the curtain comes down on the domestic football season with Al Sadd taking on Al Rayyan in the final of the prestigious Emir Cup.
About 40,000 people are expected to pack the stands at Qatar’s iconic arena, the scene of many epic battles where footballers and athletes have spilled sweat, tears, and occasionally, blood, in their quest of glory and the riches that accompany it.
The tournament is considered the jewel of all sporting events in Qatar because it gives the players the rare privilege of showcasing their talent in front of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the icing on the cake for the winners being a reception in their honour at his palace.
With special fan zones, attractive gifts for spectators, including luxury cars and motorcycles, all contributing to the electric atmosphere, no team would want to deal with the ignominy of coming off second best.
If winning is everything in Qatari football, then there’s no better stage than the Emir Cup, as coaches and captains of the teams pointed out during their pre-match press conference.Al Sadd are well aware of the pitfalls of taking their obvious superiority on paper for granted. After experiencing the high of winning their 13th league title in April, they crashed to earth with a thud when Lekhwiya hit back to win the Heir Apparent Cup earlier this month.
“It’s no ordinary game, it’s a special final,” said Al Sadd coach Hussein Amotta. “It’s the last game of the season and it’s going to be very tough. There will be a record crowd at the stadium and it is the players’ duty to play a beautiful game so that the fans are satisfied.”
Al Rayyan have the largest fan following in Qatar, but the Moroccan was dismissive about the prospect of Al Sadd supporters being out-cheered during the final. “I don’t care if there are only 2000 Al Sadd fans at the stadium. It’s the players who move the ball on the field,” added Amotta.
“Our players are used to playing under pressure in front of huge crowds where pressure from fans is very high. But we take fan pressure in a very positive way.” Al Sadd captain Raul said he planned to cap his brilliant season for the team in style. “I’ve had a very happy, satisfying season in Qatar and obviously I would like to end the year with a win,” the Spain and Real Madrid legend said.
“I hope the match would be the best final in the history of the Emir Cup. Our preparation has been excellent and our motivation is at the highest level.” Raul evaded a question about his future at Al Sadd – he was signed for one year – but knowledgeable sources say his contract would be extended for another year especially because Al Sadd have qualified for the Asian Champions League after missing out on the 2012-13 continental tournament.
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan coach Sergio Aguirre was at a loss for words trying to sum up the enormity of the occasion. “What can I say about this match? It’s a big final for me, the best final I have been involved with,” said the Uruguayan. Aguirre paid compliments to Al Sadd, praising them for their tremendous track record with 13 league and an equal number of Emir Cup titles against their name.“Al Sadd versus Rayyan is always a big game. Both teams play very well against each other. What can I say about Al Sadd except that they are the best team in Qatar, having won the league several times and the Asian Champions League also in 2011.”
But Aguirre, whose team have won the Emir Cup on five occasions, the last time in 2011, is also confident that his Brazilian-dominated outfit can produce the fireworks when needed.
“We have very capable players,” he said. “You don’t have to look for extra motivation playing the Emir Cup final. Being in the final we are automatically motivated.”
Al Rayyan captain Fabio Cesar went a step further, warning his rivals in no uncertain terms.
“We are in the best shape possible for the final,” said the friendly Brazilian-born naturalised Qatari, who spent five seasons with Italian giants Napoli from 2001 to 2004 before arriving in Qatar in 2005 to play for Al Arabi.
Emir Cup roll of honour
•1972/73 : Al Ahli 6-1 Al Rayyan
•1973/74 : Al Esteqlal 2-1 Al Sadd
•1974/75 : Al Sadd 4-3 Al Ahli
•1975/76 : Al Esteqlal 4-3 Al Arabi
•1976/77 : Al Sadd 1-0 Al-Rayyan
•1977/78 : Al Arabi 5-1 Al Wakrah Club
•1978/79 : Al Arabi 3-1 Al Wakrah Club
•1979/80 : Al Arabi 2-1 Al-Khor
•1980/81 : Al Ahli 2-1 Qatar SC
•1981/82 : Al Sadd 2-1 Al-Rayyan
•1982/83 : Al Arabi 1-0 Al Sadd
•1983/84 : Al Arabi 3-2 Al Ahli
•1984/85 : Al Sadd 2-1 Al Ahli
•1985/86 : Al Sadd 2-0 Al Arabi
•1986/87 : Al Ahli 2-0 Al Sadd
•1987/88 : Al Sadd 4-3 Al Wakrah Club
•1988/89 : Al Arabi 2-0 Qatar SC
•1989/90 : Al Arabi 3-0 Al Wakrah Club
•1990/91 : Al Sadd 1-0 Al-Rayyan
•1991/92 : Al Ahli 2-1 Al Rayyan
•1992/93 : Al Arabi 3-0 Al Sadd
•1993/94 : Al Sadd 3-2 Al Arabi
•1994/95 : Al Ittihad 2-1 Al Wakrah Club
•1995/96 : Al Ittihad 5-2 Al-Rayyan
•1996/97 : Al Ittihad 1-1 Al-Rayyan (aet, 3-2 pens)
•1997/98 : Al Ittihad 4-3 Al Ahli
•1998/99 : Al Rayyan 2-1 Al-Gharafa
•1999/00 : Al Sadd 2-0 Al-Rayyan
•2000/01 : Al Sadd 3-2 Qatar SC
•2001/02 : Al Ittihad 4-1 Al Sadd
•2002/03 : Al Sadd 2-1 Al Ahli
•2003/04 : Al Rayyan 3-2 Qatar SC
•2004/05 : Al Sadd 0-0 Al Wakrah Club (aet, 5-4 pens)
•2005/06 : Al Rayyan 1-1 Al-Gharafa (aet, 5-3 pens)
•2006/07 : Al Sadd 0-0 Al-Khor (aet, 5-4 pens)
•2007/08: Umm Salal Sports Club 2-2 Al Gharafa (aet, 4-1 pens)
•2009: Al Gharafa 2-1 Al Rayyan
•2010 : Al Rayyan 1-0 Umm-Salal Sports Club
•2011 : Al Rayyan 2-1 Al-Gharafa
•2012 : Al Gharafa 0-0 Al Sadd (aet, 5-4 pens)
Note: Qatar SC were earlier known as Al Esteglal and Al Gharafa as Al Ittihad.