Al Sadd, Al Gharafa seal Amir Cup quarter-final places
Doha
Defending champions Al Sadd rallied from an early deficit to claim a convincing 3-1 victory over second-division side Al Kharaitiyat in the Round of 16 clash of the Amir Cup at Al Thumama on Tuesday. The win secures Sadd a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Al Gharafa, who advanced after eliminating Al Khor.
Kharaitiyat stunned the reigning champions early when Sulaiman An opened the scoring in the 13th minute. However, Sadd responded through Giovanni Henrique, who netted the equaliser in the 23rd minute to restore parity before the break.
In the second half, Sadd took control. Spanish forward Rafael Mujica gave them the lead in the 54th minute, and just two minutes later, Giovanni bagged his second of the night to put the result beyond doubt. Akram Afif delivered a standout performance, providing two key assists and tormenting the Al Kharaitiyat defence throughout.
Al Gharafa edge Al Khor
Earlier, Al Gharafa sealed their place in the quarters with a 2-1 win over Al Khor at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The Cheetahs took the lead through Spanish striker Joselu in the 20th minute after a precise cross from Rodrigo Mourinho found him inside the box. Joselu made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net to give Al-Gharafa a deserved advantage following early pressure.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Gharafa were unable to extend their lead before halftime. Al Khor nearly equalised in the 35th minute when Sofiane Hanni's curling effort went narrowly wide.
Al Khor continued their pursuit of an equaliser after the break, with Ricardo Gomez firing just wide in the 52nd minute. But it was Gharafa who struck again. In the 63rd minute, Yacine Brahimi delivered a pinpoint cross into the area, which Ahmed al-Janahi finished clinically to double the lead.
Al Khor responded with a wave of attacks and managed to pull one back in the 75th minute. Abdulaziz Hazaa fired a powerful strike from the edge of the area that beat goalkeeper Claude Amin, making it 2-1 and setting up a tense final 15 minutes. Gharafa, however, held firm to secure the victory and will now face Al Sadd in the quarters.
Following the match, Iceland midfielder Aron Gunnarsson was pleased with the result, saying: 'The match wasn't as easy as we expected. Al Khor kept pushing until the end. We gave everything to win and advance, and we're determined to fight for the title and make our fans proud.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Ter Stegen to remain Germany's number one, says Nagelsmann
dpa Leipzig Marc-Andre ter Stegen will remain German national team first choice goalkeeper heading towards next year's World Cup, as long as he becomes starting club keeper again after a return from back surgery, coach Julian Nagelsmann has said. 'In the end he is our number one if he is healthy and number one in the club,' Nagelsmann said on Wednesday at an international coaches congress. Nagelsmann also announced that captain Joshua Kimmich would return into midfield, where he also plays at Bayern Munich, after previously being used as a right back in the national team. 'As it stands now he will return to the number six because he simply is among the two three players who will always play there at his club,' Nagelsmann said. Ter Stegen was named first choice by Nagelsmann after Manuel Neuer's international retirement last year. Nagelsmann said that 'as it stands now' there are no plans to ask Neuer to return, after ter Stegen underwent back surgery this week and is expected to be sidelined for three months. In addition, he has been relegated to third choice at his club Barcelona, with newly signed Joan Garcia and veteran Wojciech Szcz?sny ahead of him. Spanish champions Barca reportedly want to sell ter Stegen, but a summer transfer could be difficult, given the operation. Nagelsmann said he was in 'a super exchange' with ter Stegen and expects him to become fully fit again and the number one. But he added that there are 'many good ideas, many good solutions if it is not the case.' Nagelsmann did not go into details but Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel deputised between the Germany posts when ter Stegen was sidelined with a severe knee injury for many months last season. Germany start World Cup qualifying in September against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, which will also mark the first games with Kimmich back as a holding midfielder. Nagelsmann said he will not 'gamble' because of the short time until the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 'We must see that we have players who have a rhythm in that position,' Nagelsmann said. The coach had previously fielded Kimmich as right back because of a lack of options, but he named the two holding midfielders 'the heart of any team' who should play together as soon as possible. Nagelsmann said he would only consider changing his mind again if the right back candidates are 'complete failures.' The move will bolster Germany's defence and to play good football via defensive stability. He doesn't mind this tweaked game plan because 'in our big years we also didn't have 10 skilful players on the pitch.'
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Newcastle coach Howe admits he is not in ‘full control' of Alexander Isak's future
LondoncTypeface:> Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe has admitted that he is not in 'full control' over Alexander Isak's future. Isak has been heavily linked with Liverpool after it was reported the 25-year-old was keen to explore a move away from Newcastle. The Sweden striker still has three years left on his contract at Newcastle, who he joined in the summer of 2022 from Spanish side Real Sociedad, but has been absent from the club's pre-season tour of the Far East. 'He is still our player. He's contracted to us,' Howe said at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. 'We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. 'My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control. 'We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year.' Liverpool are expected to step up in their interest in Isak - who scored 23 goals last season as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League - with their Colombia forward Luis Diaz on the brink of joining Bayern Munich. (PA Media/dpa)
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Dogged England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to retain women's Euro title
dpa Basel, Switzerland Chloe Kelly scored the winning kick yet again as England fought back for a third straight game to retain the women's European football Championship with a penalty shoot-out victory over world champions Spain. Kelly scored the crucial spot-kick on Sunday as the Lionesses prevailed 3-1 in the shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. She also netted the winning goal in the Euro final three years ago against Germany. 'I am so proud of this team. So grateful to wear this badge. So proud to be English,' Kelly told the BBC, having also scored the extra-time winner over Italy in the semi, albeit on the rebound after her penalty was saved. 'I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice,' she smiled. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved two Spanish penalties in Basel, including from world player of the year and of the tournament Aitana Bonmatí. 'We have got English blood in us, we never say die,' the keeper said. In a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney won 1-0 by the Spanish, La Roja again dominated possession but England would not let go of their trophy as they became the first England side across the sexes to win a major tournament abroad. The last team to defend a women's Euro crown was Germany in 2013. England coach Sarina Wiegman, a former Netherlands boss, was already the first coach to reach five major tournament finals in a row. She is now the first to win three straight Euros after the Lionesses came back again having also been behind in the quarters and semis. 'I can't believe it. The word 'team' really describes who we are,' Wiegman said. 'I am so proud of them. It's incredible.' Heart trumps possession Mariona Caldentey nodded in after 25 minutes to put Spain on the way in normal time but an equally good header from Alessia Russo - previously short of goals - pulled England level on 57. Spain came close in extra-time at the end of the most watched women's Euro tournament ever, but England would not be denied. England brought back Jess Carter in central defence for Esme Morgan while Lauren James was fit to play after ankle trouble - but looked off the pace and was replaced by Kelly on 40 minutes. Wiegman had resisted the temptation to start Michelle Agyemang or Kelly despite their heroics in the comeback wins over Sweden and Italy in the previous two rounds. Spain made two changes from the extra-time victory over Germany, with Athenea replacing Clàudia Pina on the wing and defender Laia Aleixandri coming back from suspension for Maria Mendez. England had a couple of early chances while Mariona went close at the other end in an open first half in Basel. She did not have to wait too long though as her bullet header from Ona Batlle's cross after a neat move put Spain in front. Classy Spain had the better of the opening exchanges of the second half too, but then the Lionesses levelled out of nowhere. Kelly's cross was superbly headed home by Russo, who was given too much room by the Spanish defence. She nodded it back the way it came for her second goal of the tournament. The game stayed open and Kelly's shot was just pushed past the post. England teenager Agyemang - the young player of the tournament - was then introduced for Russo, with former world player of the year Alexia Putellas replaced by Pina for Spain. It was the third straight game for England to go at least 120 minutes and the second in a row for Spain. Salma Paralluelo went close for a dominant Spain in the extra period - but penalties were needed. England triumphed as their heart trumped Spain's possession-based approach. The Spanish had wanted to move on from 2023, where the aftermath of their World Cup final win was dominated by the kiss scandal involving then-Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales rather than their victory. 'I'm in shock. We've given it our all,' Bonmatí said. 'I must apologize for my mistake in the penalties and congratulate our opponents. We were superior in terms of play, but that's not everything, you have to score.'
