DOHA: The jubilant Qatar Cup champions El Jaish’s skipper Abdurahman Abakar termed his side’s glory the result of ‘a team effort’.
The victorious captain made these remarks after a last-minute penalty from Abderrazzaq Hamdallah dethroned Lekhwiya with a 2-1 victory in a thrilling finale at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Friday night.
“I want to take this opportunity to say that my team deserves credit for the win,” Abdurahman said.
“I say this because our victory was a team effort. We played well as a unit against a top side”.
“We say thank you to our fans also and the team management. This win is for the club,” he added.
Abdurahman’s team-mate Ali Sanad said: “This was a special win. We won against a side that is tactically very sharp.”
“But we stuck to our task that coach Sabri Lamouchi gave us. We kept fighting because we wanted to win a trophy after doing so well in the season. We played brave football under pressure,” Sanad said.
Meanwhile, Hamadallah, the match-winner for the new champions, hailed his team’s efforts and lauded their fighting spirit in the final of the Qatar Cup.
“I am very happy to be part of this win,” Hamadallah said after the victory on Friday.
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“I am happy because I have won this title with my team in a tough game.
“It was a difficult tournament. Only 4 teams can play, the top 4 teams in Qatar. We fought for the Cup.
“Everybody at Lekhwiya are a strong side. We are also very strong. Today you saw this,” he said.
The Moroccan forward calmly slotted the ball home in the last minute of the exciting final after Lekhwiya equalised 2-2 with a penalty of their own just ten minutes earlier.
When asked if he felt taking the penalty in the second half, he said: “No, no pressure. Every time we get a penalty, it is me who will take it.”
Hamadallah finished the Qatar Stars League season with 21 goals, the best tally.
The teams will continue to battle for title in the Emir Cup that ends on May 20.
The Peninsula
