Umm Salal, Al Shamal Advance To Quarters

Doha, Qatar: Antonio Mance netted a brace as Umm Salal outclassed Al Wakrah 4-1, while Al Shamal came from behind to defeat Al Arabi 3-1, completing the Amir Cup quarter-finals line-up yesterday.

Umm Salal, who narrowly retained their Qatar Stars League spot via a play-off win, delivered a commanding performance to book their place in the last eight.

Abdulrahman Fayez opened the scoring for Umm Salal in the 7th minute, volleying in Omar Yahya's chipped cross from the right side of the box into the far side-netting at Khalifa International Stadium.

The Orange Fortress kept the pressure on, with Mance doubling the lead in the 19th minute, slotting home from close range following a corner.

Al Wakrah pulled one back just before the half-hour mark when Khaled Mohammed finished a swift attack, set up by Gelson Dala. Farid Boulaya came closest to an equaliser, rattling the crossbar – a sign it wasn't going to be Al Wakrah's night.

Kenji Gorre restored Umm Salal's two-goal cushion with a composed strike in the 41st minute, before Mance sealed the 4-1 victory three minutes from time, outpacing his marker and firing into the centre of the net.

Later, at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Luiz Martin handed Al Arabi an early advantage, coolly converting a sixth-minute penalty after Yazan Al-Naimat was fouled in the box. Al Shamal goalkeeper Abdalla El-Rady was deemed to have committed the foul, with referee Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Jassim confirming the decision after a VAR review.

Al Shamal players celebrate during clash against Al Arabi.

Al Shamal responded in the 23rd minute, with Mohammed Mannai scoring the equaliser from the centre of the box after chest control and a smart pass by captain Baghdad Bounedjah. The sides went into halftime level at 1-1.

Al Shamal came out stronger after the break, and Naim Sliti put them ahead with a goal in the 59th minute.

Bounedjah sealed the victory in the 86th minute, diving to connect with a low cross from Sliti at close range.

The quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament are set for May 13 and 14, with the semi-finals scheduled for May 18 and 19.

The Qatar Football Association has confirmed that the iconic Khalifa International Stadium will host the eagerly awaited final on May 24.

Amir Cup 2025
Round of 16

Yesterday's Results
Umm Salal 4-1 Al Wakrah
Al Shamal 3-1 Al Arabi

Quarter-finals line-up
Al Ahli vs Al Shahania
Al Sadd vs Al Gharafa
Al Duhail vs Al Rayyan
Umm Salal vs Al Shamal

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