Al Ahli Face Al Gharafa, Al Wakrah Meet Al Arabi in Ooredoo Cup Quarterfinal

Doha, February 12 (QNA) - Al Ahli face Al Gharafa in the quarterfinal of 2019-20 Ooredoo Cup at the Al Arabi Stadium on Thursday. Al Ahli progressed to the knockout quarterfinal in style by topping Group A with 12 points (four wins and one defeat). They had a goal difference of +7 (15 goals for and eight against). Al Gharafa sealed their berth in the quarterfinals by virtue of having finished fourth in Group B with five points (one victory, two draws, and as many defeats). They had a goal difference of -4 (six goals for and 10 against). The Cheetahs' only victory came in the last round when they beat Al Sailiya 2-1. Al Ahli reached the quarterfinal of Amir Cup last week by beating Qatar SC, whereas Al Gharafa bowed out of the competition after losing to Al Markhiya. Al Gharafa may miss the services of Hector Moreno, Koo Ja-Cheol and Ahmed Alaaeldin due to injuries, but they will mainly have Jonathan Kodjia, Othman Al Yahri, Yossef Muftah, and the Algerian duo of Adlene Guedioura and Sofiane Hanni. On the other hand, Al Ahli are better off in terms of players' readiness. Injured Uruguayan striker Abel Mathias is expected to be in action. Al Gharafa are the reigning champions of the Ooredoo Cup. They beat Al Duhail 1-0 in the last edition's final. They had triumphed in the previous season as well. Meanwhile, Al Wakrah face Al Arabi in the quarterfinal of 2019-20 Ooredoo Cup at the Al Arabi Stadium on Thursday. Al Wakrah progressed to the knockout quarterfinals after finishing runners-up in Group A with eight points, four less than toppers Al Ahli. Al Sadd and Al Rayyan (both seven points) were the other teams from Group A that advanced to the quarterfinals. Al Wakrah had two victories and as many draws to their credit, and that was enough for them to make the cut despite losing big-time (0-6) to Al Ahli in the fifth and final round on 6th December. They had a goal difference of -1 (six goals for and seven against). Al Arabi advanced to the knockout round after finishing third in Group B with seven points, behind Al Khor (13 points) and Qatar SC (10 points). Al Arabi had only one victory to show for their efforts, but they had an unbeaten record having drawn the other four matches. They had a goal difference of +1 (seven goals for and six against). Al Gharafa were the other side from Group B to reach the quarterfinals. Both Al Wakrah and Al Arabi reached the Amir Cup quarterfinals last week by beating Al Shahania and Al Khor respectively on penalties. (QNA)