Star-studded Al Sadd and Al Rayyan eye 49th Amir Cup title at amazing Al Thumama Stadium

Vinay Nayudu Doha Statistics will take a back seat when favourites Al Sadd and hot contenders Al Rayyan clash in the 49th Amir Cup final at the newly-built...

Vinay NayuduDohaStatistics will take a back seat when favourites Al Sadd and hot contenders Al Rayyan clash in the 49th Amir Cup final at the newly-built Al Thumama Stadium on Friday evening.The state of the art stadium, one of the sixth World Cup 2022 venues, which will mark its inauguration with the Amir Cup final will be packed with spectators and the two sides will surely aim to upstage their rivals in a bid to win and receive the prestigious trophy from His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.That Al Sadd have been 17-time winners this far may not weigh heavy on the six-time winners Al Rayyan. It would be more a match of equals and about who plays well and delivers on this memorable day.If the Wolves keep up to their stupendous form they have displayed thus far in the QNB Stars League, then they could well gift their former colleague, Spain’s star and coach Xavi Hernandez his seventh title with Al Sadd.The much experienced Xavi, however, chose caution over exuberance as he spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of the final. “We are excited to be here, it was a long way to be in the final and as always we are ready to compete against Al Rayyan. It is a final and it’s a clasico and it will be really tough,” he said, adding, “We respect them a lot, especially the coach who has experience in Europe and they have signed players with top quality like (Colombian) James Rodrigues, (French) Steven Nzonzi and they already have (Algerian) Yacine Brahimi. But I trust my team and I think that we are in a good moment, playing well and tomorrow we will not change our style. We need to control the emotions because it is a final and the stadium will be full and it’s a new stadium opening and I expect an exciting final.”Xavi knows too well that a game of such proportion needs more cool heads and precise play. The details lie in the small things. “I think Laurent Blanc is right, we need to control the details. Every detail will count and we cannot commit mistakes,” he explained. Xavi also shrugged off the tag as being the favourites. “I won’t that we are favourites. In a final there aren’t any!” Xavi also didn’t think much of Al Sadd’s win over Rayyan in their last match. “We expect it to be a bit complicated to win this final. We will need to fight,” he quipped. And about winning a seventh crown with his boys? “It would be, but as a coach but I depend on the players. I just put the idea and they execute.”Xavi can be assured of his side having some great players including captain Hassan Al Haydos who can deliver it for him. Xavi also hoped that the new stadium would act as an extra motivation for his players.Al Rayyan’s French coach Laurent Blanc chose to keep the cards close to himself, hoping for his team to rise to the occasion. “I hope tomorrow we need to play better than the first game which we lost. I am sure the players are ready for tomorrow. Al Sadd is a good team, I have said that and all the other coaches say that. But hopefully we are ready to fight with Al Sadd to win this game,” he said.Reflecting on their recent results, Blac said, “The beginning of the season is not good but we have had some circumstances. It is not an excuse but a reality. We have had three new players, Ahmed Yasser, james and Nzonzi very late. They didn’t play a game in two months, so we need time. I know time in football is very short but we need time to be better.” Blanc said he’s told his players to enjoy the stunning new stadium and the presence of all fans. “It would be nice to have a full stadium and I know we have a lot of fans. This is the first time we play with them due to the pandemic. I have seen so many stadiums but here, the stadium is a big star. Good stadiums are good for the players and I have said that to players. I have told them to enjoy the game because it’s a big pleasure to play the game tomorrow.”Meanwhile, Al Rayyan midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem said the slate is clean for both teams. “It’s such an important game for us. It would be difficult and we hope for a huge showing. Cup games are open for all, there are no clear favourites. So hopefully we will have a good game for the fans.”Fans can travel to Al Thumama Stadium by car, taxi or public transportation, with the stadium open three hours before kick-off and all stadium car parks open four hours before kick-off. Fans travelling by public transport, the Fan ID will provide free access to the Doha Metro and bus services to and from the stadium.