The knockout nature of the Emir Cup gives even the smaller teams the belief and the chance to upset some of the bigger teams. With none of the Qatar Gas League (QGL) teams qualifying for the quarter-final stages, it will be only the Qatar Stars League teams who will battle it out for this season’s last piece of silverware.  
Today the teams who finished 5th to 8th – Umm Salal, Al Ahli, Al Sailiya and Al Arabi - in the QSL will enter the fray. Last week Al Gharafa, Al Khor, Al Wakrah and Al Kharaitiyat won their respective matches against their QGL opponents but now they will be up against tougher QSL opponents.  
Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi believes that even smaller teams can progress far in this tournament if they apply themselves well. “Our team is capable of achieving that target. We admit that there is difference in level to the stronger teams but if we play with discipline and control then we can win against them. We believe it is possible for any team to win because of the nature of the tournament,” said Trabelsi during the pre-match press conference yesterday.
“The Emir Cup is different from the Qatar Stars League. Here players are playing with less pressure because it’s fewer matches and that gives every team a chance,” he added.
Sailiya will take on Wakrah today and Trabelsi is aware of the threat that his opposition poses despite them having finished 11th in QSL. “Our ambition is to go as far as we can in this tournament. We know that this will be a tough match. Wakrah are a dangerous opponent despite their recent string of results,” said the Tunisian.   
Wakrah coach Jose Mauricio believes that both teams have an equal chance of winning this match. “In the two games that we played in the QSL, both teams ended up winning one each. I believe that the game will be equal and the team that manages to play with complete concentration will emerge victorious,” said Mauricio.  
“Both teams want to win this match and that will make this encounter a tough one. Sailiya are always a tough opposition to play against and they have shown that in the League,” he added.
Khor will looking to cause and upset when they take on Ahli today. And Khor coach Jean Fernandez also believes that this competition offers smaller teams a chance to upset the bigger names. “Ahli finished sixth in the league while we managed tenth place. But this competition is completely different. Both teams have equal chances and we are not afraid of playing against Ahli,” said Fernandez yesterday.
“We have to treat them with respect because they are a strong team and have beaten teams like Rayyan and Umm Salal,” added Fernandez.
Ahli coach Yousef Adam believes that the team with the stronger desire will walk away victorious. “Teams are equal at this stage and it will be one that has the stronger desire and the determination that will be able to get the victory,” said Adam yesterday.  Now to see what happens on the pitch.

Fixtures
Al Wakrah vs Al Sailiya
Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Arabi
Al Khor vs Al Ahli              
Al Gharafa vs Umm Salal