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Defending champions Rayyan face another tough test of character in the Emir Cup which will be held from May 13 to 18. |
The 11-time champions Rayyan, who are busy in the Club World Cup in Brazil, has been placed in the same group with Qatar Cup champions Arabi. The presence of Federation Cup champions El Jaish, who lost Qatar Cup final to Arabi, makes the group much tougher. The league champions Rayyan will start its campaign against Wakrah, the fourth team in the group on May 14.
This time the format for the Emir Cup is different from the past editions of the prestigious event as eight teams – four top teams from the league and four qualifiers – have been divided into two groups and they have to play single match shoot-out format.
Rayyan, who will be in Brazil till May 11, will play their first match against a relatively easy side of Wakra, but their next match will be against winner of the 24-time league champions Arabi and then El Jaish, who finished second in the inaugural Qatar Cup on Friday.
Nineteen-time champions Arabi will be a tough opponent in the tourney after winning its first silverware since 2012, beating Rayyan 2-0 in the best-of-three Qatar Cup semifinals and El Jaish in the final.
Rayyan, which recently finished runners-up for the second time in as many editions of the Asian Men’s Clubs Championship, said they are confident of winning a good show in the tournament. “It is a hectic schedule for us. We have to play first match just after reaching here from Brazil… but no complaints we are a professional side and have full confidence in our capabilities. I hope we will put up a good show and win the tournament,” said Rayyan team official Nasser al-Malki.
Commenting over his side’s composition, he said, “Trentino Diatec’s captain Matey Kaziyski and Michael Sanchez Bozhulev will be our main players for the tournament.”
On the other hand, Police, which finished close second in the Qatar Volleyball League, has been grouped with Ahli, Sadd and Shamal, a comparatively easier group. Police will start its campaign against Sadd on May 13, the first day of the tournament, while Shamal will meet Ahli on the same day.
“The format is same for all the teams. We have to win two consecutive matches before the final. The draw is good for us. I respect all the teams playing in the tournament and we are ready to meet all the challenges that come before us,” Police coach Jean-Michel Roche said after the draw ceremony. Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) secretary-general Mohammed Ali al-Mohannadi, coaches and representatives of the clubs were present during the draw ceremony, which was conducted by QVA technical director Hussein Imam Ali.
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