Al Arabi outclass Al Sailiya to reach Amir Cup final

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Friday, April 28th 2023 04:43 PM

Doha: Youssef Msakni scored a hat-trick as Al Arabi displayed a ruthless performance to thrash Al Sailiya 7-1 and set up mouthwatering Amir Cup final with Al Sadd on May 12.
After 18-time champions Al Sadd outclassed Al Shahania 5-1 on Monday, it was another one-sided semi-final as the Dream Team, who has won the prestigious title eight times, thrilled their fans with goals at short intervals at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. The Younes Ali-coached side was leading 3-0 in the first half and they added another four goals in the final session to complete rout of Mirghani Al Zain’s Al Sailiya. Msakni scored in 12, 45 and 90+1 minutes with all his goals coming through headers while Omar Al Somah also excelled in the second half with strikes in 72 and 82 minutes. Rafinha, who scored from the spot in 31st minute, and Ahmed Suhail Al Hamawende, who smashed a stunning free kick into the net in 70 minutes, were the other goal scorers for Al Arabi. Substitute Carlos Strandberg scored the consolation for Al Sailiya in 85 minutes. Al Arabi looked in complete control from the beginning as they got off to a fiery start as Al Sailiya, who stunned favourites Al Duhail in the quarter-finals, looked a complete mismatch. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium that hosted the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches will host the title clash. Al Sadd edged Al Arabi 2-1 when the two teams last met in Amir Cup final in 2020.