Staff Reporter
Doha: Al Gharafa SC delivered a spectacular performance to successfully defend their prestigious Amir Cup title, dismantling domestic rivals Al Sadd SC 4-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday.
The commanding victory, witnessed by a capacity crowd of over 37,000 in the presence of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and a host of VIPs, was spearheaded by a sensational hat-trick from Algerian international Yacine Brahimi, solidifying Al Gharafa’s dominance on Qatari football’s biggest stage.
Entering the match as underdogs against the recently crowned league champions, Al Gharafa completely unsettled the tournament’s most historically successful club. Guided by Brahimi’s creativity and the crucial midfield presence of Ferjani Sassi, the Cheetahs utilized blistering pace and clinical finishing to overpower their rivals.
Match highlights
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21st Minute: Al Gharafa seized early momentum when Sassi found the back of the net, coolly finishing a brilliant setup by Ahmed Al Ganehi.
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27th Minute: The relentless pressure continued as Brahimi doubled the lead, capping off a fluid attacking sequence to send his side into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
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63rd Minute: Despite Al Sadd’s tactical changes at the break to salvage the match, Brahimi struck again to make it 3-0, effectively putting the game out of reach.
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88th Minute: Dutch winger Javairo Dilrosun managed to pull a consolation goal back for Al Sadd.
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Stoppage Time: Brahimi quickly extinguished any fleeting hopes of a comeback, completing his masterclass hat-trick in added time to seal the emphatic 4-1 victory.
A historic triumph
The stunning result marks one of Al Gharafa’s finest outings this season, proving their formidable strength in knockout formats following a tight 3-2 victory over Al Wakrah SC in the previous round. Al Gharafa’s defensive organization and quick transitions ultimately frustrated an Al Sadd side that struggled to find a rhythm. For Al Sadd, the heavy defeat brings a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar Amir Cup campaign.
Established in 1972, the Amir Cup stands as Qatar’s premier domestic knockout competition, featuring clubs from both the first and second divisions. This year’s final once again delivered the high-stakes drama fans expect, with Brahimi cementing his status as the undisputed star of the evening.
