Doha, Qatar: Qatar star Akram Afif scored a stunning goal as Al Sadd defeated Al Duhail 1-0 to reach the Amir Cup final at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium yesterday. It was a solo effort from the forward, who carried the ball from the halfway line clearing several defenders to slot the winning goal in the 46th minute. Al Sadd are now just a victory away from claiming their record-extending 19th crown as they will enter the title clash as favourites with Al Gharafa meeting Qatar SC in the second semi-final today.
The defeat ended Al Duhail’s abysmal season in which they finished sixth in the Expo Stars League (ESL) as defending champions, having clinched the treble last season. They will miss the next season’s AFC Champions League after failing to win the Amir Cup. Yesterday’s result could have been different for Christophe Galtier’s Al Duhail had Philippe Coutinho converted a penalty in the first half of the cagey semi-final attended by 16,371 spectators.
But it was Al Sadd’s day with their fans unveiling Baghdad Bounedjah’s tifo paying tribute to the Algerian striker, who will leave the club after an eight-year stint. “I am very thankful to fans for their support over the years. I have great memories with Al Sadd club and now I am looking to leave the club by lifting the Amir Cup,” Bounedjah said after the match.
“We are delighted to reach the final after a tough match and our next target is winning the final.” There were immediate exchanges of attacks soon after t.