Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: El Jaish were crowned Qatar Cup champions on Friday after converting a last-gasp penalty to beat Lekhwiya 2-1 in the final at the Jassim Bin Hammad Stadium.
It was to be El Jaish who broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Mohammad Methnani headed home an excellent set-piece delivery by Sardor Rashidov and, for much of the contest thereafter, it looked as though that would be enough to hand them the victory.
However, 11 minutes from time, Lekhwiya drew level when Khalid Muftah was brought down inside the box after a good burst down the left, and Alain Dioko made no mistake with an emphatic finish to make it 1-1.
But just as extra-time was beckoning, Sabri Lamouchi’s charges were awarded a spot-kick of their own following a clumsy foul by opposition defender Mohammed Musa inside his own area, paving the way for Abderrazak Hamdallah to convert from 12 yards and win the Qatar Cup for his side.
The result ensured El Jaish had at least some silverware to celebrate at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, after they could only finish second in the Qatar Stars League behind Al Rayyan, who won the title by a resounding 14-point margin.
It was also sweet revenge for them considering they were beaten 1-0 by Lekhwiya in last year’s Qatar Cup final.
Although the domestic season in Qatar has now concluded, both sides will still be in action in the AFC Champions League as the group stage draws to a close next week.
El Jaish, who are already through to the Round of 16, only need to avoid anything worse than a 1-0 defeat at home to Emirati outfit Al Ain next Tuesday to secure first place in Group D.
Meanwhile, Lekhwiya have also sealed their progress to the knockout round ahead of Wednesday’s home clash with Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan, although they have no chance of pipping Iran’s Zobahan to top spot in Group B due to their inferior head-to-head record.
Photo: AK BIJURAJ