DOHA: Goals by strikers Baghdad Bounedjah and Hassan Al Haydos on
Sunday guided former champions Al Sadd to a 2-0 win over El Jaish as
the Doha football giants sealed their Emir Cup final berth in
convincing fashion.
Following a goalless first half, Algerian striker Bounedjah on Sunday
scored the opening goal in the 47th minute while Al Haydos doubled Al
Sadd's home delight by firing the second goal in the 76th minute.
After receiving a neat ball from the right flank, Bounedjah deflected
a low ball past Lekhwiya goalkeeper with a first-attempt volley at Al
Sadd Stadium.
Al Haydos, who is nominated as one of three players for the Player of
the Year award, turned in a solo run past a host of Lekhwiya defenders
before slotting the ball into the net with left-footed flourish.
The win on Sunday now has set-up an Al Rayyan-Al Sadd final clash to
be played at the Khalifa International Stadium on May 19.
It was the final game of the season and club history for El Jaish -
one of the top sides in Qatar football - following the side's merger
with Lekhwiya last month.
Coached by Sabri Lamouchi, El Jaish finished the regular QSL season in
fourth spot while Al Sadd - coached by Jesualdo Ferreira, will now aim
for their second major trophy this season.
Al Sadd, at the end of last month, won the Qatar Cup by beating Al Rayyan.