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.