Football provides everyone involved with a lot of highs and lows. That’s the nature of sport. There are wins that we joyfully celebrate and there are losses that we sulk about – players, coaches and fans alike. These are normal scenarios that the world of football regularly experiences. But there are times when the game throws up an unexpected and unfortunate situation.
From the next Qatar Stars League season, one famous team will no longer be part of Qatar’s football scene. El Jaish have been merged with Lekhwiya to form Al Duhail. Jaish will be disbanded and the players, coaches and support staff will now have to move on to other teams.
The ongoing Emir Cup tournament is the last tournament where El Jaish will take part. Today they take on Al Sadd in the semi-final, knowing that it could be their last match. Knowing that this could be the end could have contrasting reactions in people. Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi is hoping that his team will end on a high.
The Frenchman arrived for the Emir Cup semi-final pre-match press conference looking dapper in a waistcoat and with his entire support staff in tow. “I hope this isn’t my last press conference in Qatar…” was how he began the press conference. He then proceeded to thank his support staff and players for their role during his time with Jaish.
Lamouchi came to El Jaish in 2014 and the team have had a successful run with him at the helm. They won the 2016 Qatar Cup. In the 2017 edition, they lost to Sadd in the final. They were Emir Cup runners-up in 2015. In the 2015-16 QSL season, they ended up in second position, behind winners Al Rayyan. In the 2016 AFC Champions League season, they reached as far as the semi-finals where they ended up losing to UAE’s Al Ain. All in all, an impressive record for any coach.
For Lamouchi though, the best trophy is something else. “We have achieved a lot with the club, the Champions League semi-finals, the Qatar Cup title, reaching the final of the Emir Cup, a second place in the League. But the best part for me is that all clubs in Qatar want my players,” said the Frenchman.
“I am proud to be the coach of this set of players. I hope when people look back at my time with Jaish, they see progress,” he added.
Lamouchi hoped that local, young players who have played under his tutelage would go on to do great things for Qatar. He said that he was lucky to have coached many talented youngsters during his tenure with El Jaish. He cited the example of Qatari player Ahmed Moeen – who was named Player of the tournament when Qatar won the AFC U17 championships in 2014.
“Ahmed Moen is a great example. This young player had a great Asian Champions League campaign. He’s a young Qatari player and I hope he does even better for his country during the 2022 World Cup. He’s not only a good player but also a smart player. I am lucky to be his coach,” said the 45-year-old.
Lamouchi said that he was happy to have got this opportunity to have come to Qatar as a coach. “It has been a great experience for me and my staff. I am happy to have been here with Jaish and in Qatar. Thank you to everyone for the support over the two and a half years,” he concluded.
Now to see if Jaish players can give Lamouchi one more press conference to attend by helping the team qualify for the final.