Al Rayyan will aim to put behind their disappointment of not qualifying for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions league when they take on Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya in the first semi-final of the Emir Cup today at Al Sadd Stadium.
Michael Laudrup's team crashed out from the group stage of the continental club championship while Lekhwiya is the only QSL side which made it to the last 16 stage.
The Lions' coach expects a cagey match between the two sides, which had varying success in the Asian Club championship.
"My players will do everything that they can to win the game and play in the final. To play a Cup final is something that is always special," Laudrup said on the eve of the match.
"We played two tight games in the QSL and I expect it would be as tight as before in the Emir Cup. It will be a close game and the small details will decide who goes to the final," he said.
Al Rayyan are looking for the first title of the season, having lost to Lekhwiya in the Sheikh Jassim Cup. The Sheikh Jassim Cup is played between the winners of the Qatar Stars League and the Emir’s Cup.
Al Rayyan was the dominant team in QSL previous season and had wrapped up the title with five matches to spare. Lekhwiya managed to finish fourth in the 2015/16 season but they ended on a strong note by winning the Emir Cup.
This year, Al Rayyan finished third behind second-placed Al Sadd, while a clinical Lekhwiya side won the title.
The Red Knights' coach Djamel Belmadi has cautioned his players to be on the guard against the wounded Al Rayyan.
"The game will be tough and we know that very well. Al Rayyan is a big team. They lost the league title and are out of the AFC Champions League, so they certainly pin their hopes on doing well in the Emir Cup," Belmadi said.
"We have to do our best and be at our best and everyone is at the top of the game and we'll see what happens in the end," he added.
The Algerian said his team is well prepared for the semi-final clash.
"We played the AFC Champions League match on our home soil and that was also a preparation for this game," Belmadi said ahead of today’s clash.
Belmadi is pinning his hopes on high-scoring forwards Nam Tae-hee and Youseef Msekni to deliver the goods upfront.
"They definitely want to be successful (again)," Belmadi said about his players.
"They know they have to pass the semi-final stage. The players want to do well and qualify for the final. Nothing changes for us in terms of preparation," he said.
"We are the champions and we are trying to defend our title. That's the only motivation we need," said Belmadi.
