(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Al Duhail will take on Al Sailiya in the second Amir Cup semi-final today at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in what should be a highly entertaining contest.
Al Duhail have not been at their best this season and finished second behind Al Sadd in the league, while Al Sailiya secured their best-ever position with a third place.
Al Duhail coach Rui Faria said it will be a difficult match for his side, having had little time to recover from their trip to Tehran where they drew with Esteghlal to book their place in the AFC Champions League round of 16.
'This is a very important match for us and we are facing a strong team. We began our preparations very late for this match after our return from Tehran. We have assessed Al Sailiya's strengths and weakness and we have to take advantage of these points to achieve victory, Faria said.
'We cannot make excuses and we have to prepare well and adapt the pressure of a knockout match. Our players know the importance of this match and will give our best, the Portugese coach said.
The last time these two teams faced off, Al Duhail scored a narrow win but Al Sailiya are a dangerous team under Sami Trabelsi.
The Tunisian, who first took charge of the side in June, 2013, and led them to the Amir's Cup final that season, has extended his contract with Sailiya for three more years.
Al Sailiya star striker Rachid Tiberkanine has been brilliant this season, but the Moroccan is doubtful with an injury and, if he is absent then, Abdulkadir Ilyas and Mauricio Junior will have to step up and deliver for the team.
The Peregrines also have the services of players such as Saoud al-Khater, Hamad al-Obaidi, Abdulrahman Mohamed, Nadir Belhadj, Fahd Yousef and Ghanem al-Qahtani.
For Al Duhail, prolific striker Yousef El Arabi will lead the charge with Asian Cup MVP Almoez Ali equally lethal upfront. They also have Paolo Edmilson, Mohamed Moosa, Bassam al-Rawi, Sultan al-Breik, making them favourites to reach the final.
Duhail midfielder Ali Afif said playing final at the newly-built Al Wakrah stadium will serve as a huge motivation for the team.
'We lost the league title and Qatar Cup championship is cancelled for this year, so this is the only title we can win. Playing at Al Wakrah stadium in the final match is a big motivation for us, he said.
Sailiya defender Mustafa Abdel Hamid echoed Afif's sentiments. 'Playing at Al Wakrah stadium, which is a World Cup venue, is something we want to do. Al Duhail are not the team what they were before, but they are still a strong team and it will not an easy game for us, he said.
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