Doha: A determined El Jaish is keen to stop Qatar Stars League (QSL) winners Lekhwiya from notching their second title of the season when the two clash in the Qatar Cup final at Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium here today.
The task to stop lekhwiya from notching a double will not be easy one says El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi.
“I know that my team is capable of beating Lekhwiya and I know my players have the right motivation to win but it won’t be easy,” said Lamouchi on the eve of the final here yesterday.
“We know we are playing one of the biggest teams in Qatar in Lekhwiya, they are one of the most dominant teams in the league over the last couple of years. This year they won the league,” added the El Jaish coach.
“I expect it to be a tough game but I hope we take our chances, we have played well so far so I hope we continue like this.”
Lamouchi has had a mixed season since joining the Soldiers but did manage to guide them to third spot in the QSL. In addition the Frenchman oversaw a stellar performance from his side as they came out 3-1 winners over Al Sadd in the other semi-final.
Lamouchi said that it was one of the toughest matches he had faced in Qatar since arriving saying: “I have to say that Al Sadd made things very tough for us but we showed why we win the Cup before and the players were clearly motivated to win it again.”
“Last season El Jaish won the first ever Qatar Cup we are a young club and it is very important for us to defend our title, of course we have done all that is necessary to prepare the team as we build up to the big day,” said Lamouchi.
The Cops on the other hand will also be looking for revenge after losing in the final to El Jaish last season.
Lekhwiya coach Michael Laudrup believes his side has shown incredible form towards the business end of the season and that this will be their secret to success, come today’s grand finale against El Jaish.
“It’s a final, which is always special as we will be playing for a very special trophy. Tomorrow we will play against a strong team who beat Al Sadd in convincing fashion, we can expect a very good game,” the Dane said.
“The club knows that generally we have done well, we always manage to win the league or a cup but as yet never the double so I am keen to rectify this.”
“We coaches have a job to do but in the end the most important factor is the players, something which I also believed when I was playing football.”
The next few days will a crucial test for Lekhwiya with some crucial Emir Cup and AFC Champions League coming up, said Laudrup.
“It’s a very important 10 days, we will play for the final in the Qatar cup tomorrow, the in the Asian Champions League, we have to win at all costs and in the Emir Cup we will be playing an important semi-final either against Salal or Sailiya depending on who wins.”
The cops have been in terrific form in the QSL since their tight and important 1-0 win over Al Sadd back in late February and from thereon did not lose a single game in the league. Add to that their recent good form in the Asian Champions League which saw them come away with all three points after a dominant second half display against Iran’s Persoplis and things bode well for Lekhwiya.
Last Thursday’s emphatic 5-0 win over Qatar Sports Club in the Qatar Cup semi-finals makes Lekhwiya the favourites for the final.
But nothing should be taken away from El Jaish.
The way they managed to pin back Al Sadd and dominate the midfield and If they show the same kind of intent and commitment then perhaps a second Qatar Cup title is not far away for them.
However, if Lekhwiya can play to the full potential then it will be very difficult to see them lose the final. The Cops will be without Vladimir Weiss who will miss the game due to injury as well as Luiz Martin who is serving a five match suspension.
Previously referred to as the Heir Apparent Cup, the Qatar Cup is the pinnacle of the QSL season and is one of Qatar’s most prestigious events on the domestic sporting calendar.
The Peninsula
