Lekhwiya coach Eric Gerets (left) smiles as does Eljaish coach Ravzan Lucescu after a press conference at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha. At right is Eljaish’s central defender Saad Al Shammari. Eljaish take on Lekhwiya in the semi-final of the Heir Apparent Cup today.
Doha: The last two seasons newcomers Lekhwiya stamped their superiority by winning back-to-back the Qatar Star League (QSL) titles but they could not add the Heir Apparent Cup and Emir Cup trophies to their collection.
However, Lekhwiya, who finished in second place behind eventual champions Al Sadd in the QSL title race last week, are determined to lay their hands on the two trophies this year.
Today Lekhwiya start their campaign in the Heir Apparent Cup when the Eric Gerets-coached side takes on Eljaish in the semi-final.
“This year we really want to do better than we have done (earlier in the Heir Apparent Cup). That’s why I’m looking forward to this game. We have been waiting two years to get to this final,” Gerets said.
“We were (QSL) champions twice but in the Heir Apparent Cup and the Emir Cup we didn’t do well. That’s the main reason why they (the players) really want to get to the final and eventually win it. We have been waiting a long time for this,” Gerets added.
“These events have nothing to do with winning the QSL title. You do not need any motivation to play against a good team in this beautiful event.
“Both teams will be tired after playing tough games of AFC Champions League. Our motivation is to remain in the title hunt,” he added.
Eljaish coach Razvan Lucescu said although his boys have been mentally drained after a tough AFC Champions League match last week, but the confidence level remained high in his camp.
“For us it will be very difficult to regain our energy after the game in the Champions League on Wednesday. We ran and fought a lot and won and exhausted our mental energy. But we have confidence and that is very important. For sure this could help us to find a strong motivation and play well,” said Lucescu.
Brazilian striker Wagner Rebeiro scored a hat-trick as Eljaish booked their place in the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League with a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab on Wednesday.
“There were three games this year and all three matches were very balanced. They were tough games because both teams are very organised. I would expect the same for Saturday. It will be difficult for us to immediately gain the energy. Playing against Lekhwiya will help a lot,” Lucescu said. “For me it is easier to prepare because of who we are playing against,” added the former Romanian national goalkeeper.
“We won the Sheikh Jassim Cup (last year) and we enjoyed that. We want more of these moments.
“We will do everything to be in the final,” added Lucescu, who is coaching a QSL side for the first time. THE PENINSULA
