Mesaimeer will take on Al Markhiya in the preliminary round clash of the 50th edition of the Amir Cup at Al Ahli Stadium on Friday. The match kicks off at 5:45pm.
Al Markhiya finished in fifth spot while Mesaimeer were placed sixth in last season’s Second Division League. Today’s winner will join 16 other teams in the main draw which will see the participants divided into two pools. The first pool will consist of the eight teams who finished first to eighth in last season’s QSL. The second pool will include the teams ranked ninth to 12th in QSL last season, the top three ranked teams from last season’s Second Division League, and the winner of today’s match.
Mubarak al-Balushi, Mesaimeer’s assistant coach, confirmed that his team is fully prepared to face Al Markhiya and said his team will be targeting a ticket to the main draw.
Al-Balushi said: “Our first target is to reach the main round and we are ready for the match against Al Markhiya.”
He pointed out that Mesaimeer are competing under special circumstances after their head coach and a number of players were tested positive for Covid-19, but noted that team’s preparations were on track ahead of the decisive clash.
Meanwhile, Bader al-Maimani, assistant coach of Al Markhiya, confirmed that they have studied their opponents well, especially after having faced them in several league matches. However, al-Maimani revealed that today’s match has its own characteristics as both teams aspire to advance to next stage.
Al-Maimani said: “We have faced Mesaimeer on a number of occasions and we are fully prepared against them.
“It will be a tough match as both the teams are eager to advance in the main round of this prestigious tournament.”
Al Sadd are the defending champions of the prestigious tournament following their 5-4 shootout win over Al Rayyan after a 1-1 draw at Al Thumama Stadium in October last year. Al Sadd have won the Amir Cup crown a record 18 times since the tournament’s inception in 1972.