Al Sadd's Akram Afif (centre) trains with teammates.
DOHA: The stage is set for one of the season’s most electrifying showdowns as Al Sadd and Al Duhail lock horns tomorrow in the high-stakes Qatar Cup final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Fresh off a fierce Qatar Stars League (QSL) title race where Al Sadd edged ahead, the arch-rivals now battle for more silverware. Felix Sanchez’s Al Sadd are looking to extend their domestic dominance, while Christophe Galtier’s Al Duhail – resurgent after a disappointing 2023-24 season – are targeting their first trophy of the campaign.
Both sides are chasing a fourth Qatar Cup title since the tournament’s 2014 relaunch. Al Sadd were crowned champions in 2017, 2020 and 2021, while Al Duhail lifted the trophy in 2015, 2018 and most recently in 2023.
Felix Sanchez, Al Sadd coach
“We’re excited for this crucial match,” Sanchez said during a press conference yesterday.
“It’s a big occasion, and the players are eager to compete at this level. We know we need to show our quality against a strong side like Al Duhail. We are aiming to win the Qatar Cup, and we know that to achieve that, we have to deliver on the pitch.”
Sanchez said his team has moved on from their AFC Champions League Elite quarter-final loss to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, with their sights now set on sweeping domestic titles.
“Yes, our Champions League exit in the quarter-finals was disappointing, but we’ve moved past that,” he added. “It’s important to keep pushing, keep working hard and take every opportunity to win silverware like this one.”
Al Sadd are also alive in the Amir Cup, having won their Round of 16 match to remain in contention for another title.
Defender Youssef Atal echoed his coach’s ambitions: “We are facing a difficult final match. Al Sadd always competes for titles and we will approach the Qatar Cup final with all our strength to achieve this very important title,” the Algerian said.
“Reaching the final has made us very happy as players, management and fans. We will work hard to be fully ready.”
The final, kicking off at 7pm, promises to be a blockbuster, with both squads stacked with attacking firepower.
Al Duhail players during a training session.
Al Sadd’s forward line will be led by Akram Afif and Rafa Mujica, with Brazilian star Claudinho pulling the strings in midfield. Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, one of Qatar’s finest, adds security at the back.
Al Duhail counter with a formidable lineup of their own Kenyan striker Michael Olunga, winger Edmilson, center-back Bassam Al Rawi and Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech all bring top-level experience to the side.
This season in the QSL, both teams claimed a win in their head-to-head meetings. Al Duhail crushed Al Sadd 5-1 in the first, while the Wolves responded with a 2–0 victory in the return fixture.
Christophe Galtier, Al Duhail coach
Galtier acknowledged the challenge of facing the reigning league champions.
“We are aware that we will face the QSL title winners. It will be a tough game, but our players are confident and mentally ready,” he said.
“This final is completely different from league matches. I don’t like the word ‘revenge’ in football, but many people said after Al Sadd won the league that Al Duhail faded. The numbers say otherwise. We stayed strong and it was just the Al Shamal match that changed everything.”
Hakim Ziyech echoed the hunger within the Al Duhail camp.
“Losing the league title in the final stages pushes us to make up for it,” he said. “But the Qatar Cup final is a new challenge, and we must give everything. I’m focused on helping the team win trophies—starting with this one.”
