HH the Amir's Cup: Top Four Clubs Chasing Title Dream

Doha, May 10 (QNA) - The top four clubs of Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa will contest the semi-finals of HH the Amir's Cup in its 46th edition, with legitimate hopes and aspirations to win the title, especially since it could be either a lifeline or double success for some of them. Competition is set to be intense as title holders Al Sadd seek to retain it for the second year in a row and save the season with one title at least, while Al Duhail hope to win the second title in their history and achieve a historical treble after winning the league titles and Qatar Cup. Al Rayyan, meanwhile, are looking to regain the title after losing it in the last four seasons, as well as Al Gharafa, who did not win it since 2012. Al Sadd, who reached the semifinals at the expense of Al Khor (4-0), are the most winning club with 16 titles. Their first title was in 1975 at the expense of Al Ahli (4-3) and most recently last year at the expense of Al Rayyan (2-1). On the other hand, Al Arabi, who were eliminated by Al Rayyan (0-3) in the quarterfinals, are the second most crowned club with eight titles, then comes Al Gharafa with seven, Al Rayyan with six, and Al Ahli with four. Qatar SC won it twice, while Al Duhaill and Umm Salal have one title. Al Gharafa are the only club to win the title four times in a row between 1995 and 1998, followed by Al Arabi with three consecutive titles between 1978 and 1980, while Al Sadd won the title twice in a row more than once in 1985 and 1986 and then in 2000 and 2001 and finally in 2014 and 2015. Al Rayyan achieved the same feat in 2010 and 2011. Eight clubs won HH the Amir's Cup, which started in 1973 and was won by Al Rayyan. The competition passed with many stages as it began in a home and away format, and then turned into one match in the last seasons because of the congestion of the calendar. In recent seasons, the semi-final and final rounds were played without extra time to avoid pressure and exhaustion for players as they play in different Asian and international tournaments, but the extra time system was used in last season. (QNA)