DOHA: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) on Sunday announced

there will no extra time allowed in Emir Cup matches.

The 44th edition of Emir Cup will start with Muaither taking on Al

Shahaniya in the lung-opener on Monday.

Penalty kicks will be used to decide the winners if games finish with

same scores in regulation time.

Extra times are used when teams fail to get an outright winner after

90 minutes of play.

Mr. Hamad Al Manai, Head ofcompetitions, QFA, said the decision was

motivated by concerns over players’ safety at the closing stages of a taxing

long season.

He was quoted, “We had to consider the important dates awaiting

the nationalteam in upcoming months, in addition to clubs representing

Qatar incontinentalcompetitions”.

Qatar was drawn in Group A in the third phase of the 2018 FIFA World

Cup Asian zone qualifiers alongside Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan, China

and Syria.

The final of the Emir Cup will be played on May 20.