Stage set for Amir Cup football quarter-finals
Doha
The Amir Cup quarter-finals begin on Tuesday with Al Ahli taking on second division challengers Al Shahania, while in the late kickoff, in-form Umm Salal face ambitious Al Shamal.
Tomorrow promises fireworks as giants Al Sadd meet Al Gharafa, followed by a blockbuster clash between Al Rayyan and Al Duhail.
Al Ahli coach Igor Biscan underlined the importance of defensive concentration in knockout football as he targets a place in the semi-finals of Qatar's most prestigious domestic tournament.
'Our team has a good offensive level, but at the same time we are required to focus on our defense because Emir Cup matches require us to approach them differently than we used to in league matches,' Biscan said.
'We must treat every match as if it were a final. We need to double our efforts and give our best against Al Shahania, as cup matches are full of intense rivalry and competition, with each team striving to win and qualify.'
Al Shahania coach Jose Murcia stressed calm and confidence ahead of his side's challenge as underdogs. 'We are taking the Amir Cup championship one step at a time,' Murcia said. 'The match requires intense focus because cup matches are very different from league matches, and mistakes are prohibited.
'Our players are aware of the responsibility placed upon them. We are looking forward to winning and reaching the semi-finals—even if the predictions are in Al Ahli's favour. We are not under pressure and must focus on ourselves and perform at our best.'
Umm Salal coach Patrice Beaumelle is keeping his players grounded after a run of strong results as they prepare to face Al Shamal at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. 'The Al Shamal match is very important for us, and we will approach it calmly and with focus, without any pressure,' the Frenchman said.
'Our victory over Al Wakrah gave the players a huge morale boost, and I'm happy to have achieved four consecutive wins. But every tournament has its own character, and the Emir Cup is a precious tournament.
'We respect Al Shamal a lot—they're a distinguished team. Our focus is on how we perform. We have a good attack, but we need more defensive discipline. Cup matches are full of excitement and enthusiasm, so we have to put in extra effort. Mistakes are prohibited, and our players are fully aware of their responsibility.'
Al Shamal coach David Prats, meanwhile, is urging his squad to make history. 'I expect it to be a great match in a very important tournament that is dear to the hearts of all participants,' Prats said.
'This is the first time in Al Shamal's history that we've reached the quarter-finals, and we have a great opportunity to continue writing history by competing for a semi-final place.We aim to enjoy the match without pressure and perform at our best.
'We've already played Umm Salal twice this season, but the Emir Cup is a different competition. We must be extremely focused. We will play with a full squad, and we hope to create a surprise. We are ready to fight and compete strongly to go as far as possible.'
Fixtures
TuesdaycTypeface:> Al Ahli vs Al Shahania – 17:15, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium; Umm Salal vs Al Shamal – 20:15, Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium
Wednesday: Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd – 17:15, Al Thumama Stadium; Al Rayyan vs Al Duhail – 20:15, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
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