Al Duhail are confident going into the first semi-final of 2020 Qatar Cup against Al Sailiya at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today, and coach Rui Faria feels his side is ready for the opponents, who are very much capable of staging an upset.
“We’re facing a team that we know well. They have stability at the technical level as their coach has been with them for long. We know the philosophy with which they will be playing and we will be ready for them,” Faria said on the eve of the match.
Al Duhail, who qualified for the sixth edition of the tournament by virtue of finishing second in the 2018-19 QNB Stars League, start favourites due to their unbeaten run in the QNB Qatar Stars League and the arrival of Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic.
However, they were held by Qatar SC to a goalless draw in Mandzukic’s opening match.
“We know the value of our new recruit (Mario) Mandzukic, but we focus on the team as a whole. In the last game, we had an organised opponent who worked seriously to get that point, but we depend on the team as a whole and not on one player.
“Our new North Korean player Han Kwang-Song is training with the team, which is an additional option for us,” said Faria.
Faria joined Duhail last January after assisting Jose Mourinho for 17 years at some of the world’s biggest clubs.
“When I came here, I knew the history of our club and its ambitions. When the administration has provided us with all the facilities, our target is to compete for all titles. After all, this is football and I always focus on the next match,” the 44-year-old Portuguese coach said.
Al Duhail striker Ismail Mohamed promised his teammates will give their best in the match.
“Our preparations went off well. We know that the cup games are different from league games. It requires high concentration and we must bring out our best and we will do it in order to qualify for the final. There is no easy match. We as a team is always are a tough opponent,” Mohamed said.
Talking about his fitness, the 29-year-old forward said, “I always try to implement the coach’s instructions. After my return from injury, I have been working intensely to get back to my actual level.”
On the other hand, Sailiya would be hoping that they come back strongly from their 1-2 defeat to Al Khor in the league last week.
“We are focusing completely on the Qatar Cup now, especially the semifinal against Al Duhail,” said coach Sami Trabelsi.
“This is a tournament where we are honoured to compete in. They are looking to reach the final, they have a team full of stars, with great experience in European and Arab leagues.
“There is always great seriousness when we face Al Duhail. They have outstanding players, especially in attack. Ours is a more collective effort. In the last game, we were closer to winning had it not been for our mistakes. We hope not to repeat them and target victory and reaching the final,” the 51-year-old said.
Talking about his side’s performance, which finished third in the league last season, he said: “For me in terms of players’ quality, we are much better than last season. Our results may have been better last season. This time, we could not start the season in a good way because there are players who joined us late. That has affected our results, we hope to be in a better position in the second leg.”
“We know that there are many obligations for the Qatar national team. From my point of view, this date is a result of calendar pressure. All matches we currently play are part of our preparations for the AFC Champions League. We will focus on getting a positive result,” the Tunisian, who has been with the club since 2013, said.
Sailiya’s Moroccan midfielder Mubarak Boussoufa also feels it will be a good game and was confident of his team’s show.
“We have to be at the top of our readiness. We will play against Al Duhail, who are considered as the best side in the league this season, and we will be ready to offer our best level,” Boussoufa said.
“We have a strong motivation especially since we are playing a very special team. In such cases, we always want to spring a surprise. In the league, you have opportunities to compensate because it is a long tournament. But in Cup, you should be at your best in order every time to achieve victory,” the 35-year-old player said.
Al Sailiya made it to the elite tournament by finishing a creditable third in the league, behind reigning champions Al Sadd and Al Duhail.
In the ongoing season of the QNB Stars League, Duhail are the table toppers with 30 points, while Al Sailiya is in sixth with 17 points.
The other unbeaten team in the league, Al Rayyan, will take on Al Sadd in the second semi-final tomorrow.
Al Duhail coach Rui Faria (centre) and striker Ismail Mohamed (left) address a press conference on the eve of Qatar Cup semi-final against Al Sailiya. (Below) Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi (centre) and midfielder Mubarak Boussoufa (left) during the press conference. PICTURES: Anas Khalid
