Qatar SC edge Al Gharafa on penalties to book Amir Cup final with Al Sadd

Doha, Qatar: Spirited Qatar SC reached the Amir Cup final for the first time in 20 years, edging Al Gharafa 4 3 in a penalty shootout after a 2 2 draw...

Doha, Qatar: Spirited Qatar SC reached the Amir Cup final for the first time in 20 years, edging Al Gharafa 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in a pulsating semi-final at the Al Janoub Stadium. The Youssef Al Noubi-coached side will face record 18-time champions Al Sadd in the title clash at Education City Stadium on Friday.

Qatar SC have won the Amir Cup twice with their last triumph coming in the 1975-76 season when they were known as Al Esteqlal. They played their last final in the 2003-04 season, losing to Al Rayyan 3-2.

Yesterday, they showed great determination against favourites Al Gharafa to clinch their second consecutive shootout win after eliminating title contenders Al Rayyan in the quarter-finals last week.

As the scores remained unchanged in extra-time following a 2-2 draw in the regulation time, Qatar SC held their nerves to pull off a memorable win with substitute Ali Awad scoring the winning penalty in front of 14,609 fans.

Captain Yacine Brahimi, who otherwise had a fine game, missed two shots from the spot including A Gharafa’s first attempt during the shootout. Fabricio Diaz also hit the post paving the way for Qatar SC’s win after Al Gharafa goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar had stopped Javi Martínez’s effort.