Defending champions Al Gharafa to meet Al Sadd in Amir Cup final

Defending champions Al Gharafa and Al Sadd will meet in the Amir Cup final after contrasting semifinal wins, with Al Sadd thrashing Al Duhail 4-1 and Al Gharafa edging Al Wakrah 3-2 on penalties following a goal-less draw.

At the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday, Al Sadd produced a high-intensity, commanding display to defeat Al Duhail in their seventh Amir Cup semifinal meeting.

Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd led 2-0 at the break through Akram Afif and Rafa Mujica. Al Duhail responded early in the second half via Boubakary Soumare, but Al Sadd quickly regained control of the tempo.

Substitute captain Hassan Al Haydos struck the third to effectively end the contest, before Afif added his second deep into stoppage time to seal the 4-1 win.

The victory sends Al Sadd into a record 30th final as they target a 19th title to extend their status as the competition’s most successful club.

Al Haydos said the win was deserved despite the difficulty, calling the Amir Cup the team’s most valuable competition and expressing hope to carry the same spirit into the final.

Boualem Khoukhi credited the team’s preparation and described the final against Al Gharafa as a different, evenly balanced challenge. The defeat also confirmed a trophyless season for Al Duhail despite their late push.

Earlier, at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Al Gharafa overcame a resilient Al Wakrah. Both teams created chances in a tight first half, while Al Wakrah had a second-half goal by Amin Zahzouh ruled out after a foul by Issa Al Aidouni on Ferjani Sassi in the buildup.

With no breakthrough in regulation or extra time, the match went to penalties, where goalkeeper Khalifa Abubakar proved decisive.

Ayoub Al Alawi said the win was hard-earned and affirmed Al Gharafa’s determination to retain the title in the 54th edition final.

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