Al Sadd pip Al Arabi 2-1 to claim 2020 Amir Cup title at new Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Al Sadd, Qatar's most successful club, claimed their 17th trophy of the prestigious Amir Cup with a convincing 2-1 defeat of arch-rivals Al Arabi as the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, the fourth venue of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, was unveiled in the presence of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Friday.

The highly entertaining game held on the same day the final match of the FIFA World Cup is expected to be played two years from now, saw Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah hitting two first-half braces (4th and 45th minutes) as The Wolves increased the trophies in their cabinet to an eye-popping 73 in all competitions with the victory.

Iceland's central midfielder Aron Gunnarsson scored the only goal for Al Arabi, the tournament's second most successful club with eight titles, in the 23rd minute. A goalmouth melee saw the Iceland national team captain and former Coventry City player finally tucking in the ball to the right of goalkeeper Meshaal Aissa Barsham.

The final of the 48th edition of the Amir Cup, watched by a 50 percent stadium capacity, had in attendance various dignitaries including AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and chief of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Ahmed Al Sabah.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and QFA President Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani were also present.

The keenly contested match saw Al Sadd taking control of the game from the blast of the whistle with their high-pressing play orchestrated from the midfield by Spain's Santi Cazorla. The coach-Xavi team pegged their opponent to their own-side of the halves for most parts of the early minutes, and the efforts eventually paid off with Bounedjah finding the net in the fourth minute.

After Sebastian Soria lost the ball to Woo Young Jung in the midfield, Al Sadd captain Hassan al-Haydos cut the ball back to Akram Afif, who back-heeled it into an empty box. The onrushing Santi Cazorla took a shot, which deflected off Bounedjah as Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada watched helplessly.

It was the perfect start for Al Sadd, who currently tops the league table and have also won this year's Sheikh Jassim Cup and the Qatar Cup.

The goal was a wake-up call for Al Arabi as the pressed hard after that and found the equalizer in the 23rd minute.

After an unmarked header from Soria off a corner hit the post, there was a huge scramble for the ball in the box. Ayoub Azzi aimed for the goal, but Al Sadd's Woo-Young Jung put his body on the line to block it before Gunnarsson bundled it in. The linesman had his flag up for offside, but the VAR correctly awarded the goal after Jung had clearly played Arabi players in.

Al Sadd continued to pile up the pressure after the equalizer relentlessly, and the coach Heimir Hallgrimsson's side finally buckled in the 44th minute. Just like Al Sadd's first goal, it was another deflection from Bounedjah that cost al Arabi dearly. After Akram Afif played the ball to Guilherme just outside the penalty area, the Brazilian's shot ricocheted off Bounedjah and into the net.

"I am delighted to be part of this Al Sadd side. Yes, I want to congratulate the country and their people on their National Day. We are happy that we won the title. It is a well-deserving win. I have to congratulate Al Arabi for a good fight and for reaching the final," Al Sadd's coach Xavi Hernandez said after the victory.

The former Barcelona and Spain's iconic midfielder who captained the team to last year's final where they lost to 4-1 to Al Duhail, added, "I told the players before the final that it is never easy to win big matches. I want to congratulate supporters of this big club. The mission is complete, yes. We want to compete in every big competition like the AFC Champions League. I think we are the biggest club (in Qatar) and let's see what happens in AFC Champions League (next year)."

Bounedjah, the two-goal hero, said, "We played against a very formidable team today, and it wasn't easy. I am happy that we won and tonight will go down in history as one of the most important moments of my life. It was great to play and win at such a beautiful stadium (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium), and I congratulate the whole team and the coaching crew for the wonderful performance."

En route the final, Al Sadd got their revenge over Al Duhail after coming back from a goal down to eviscerate The Red Knights 4-1 in the semi-final while Al Arabi defeated Qatargas League side Al Markhiya 2-0 in their last-four match.

It was sweet revenge for Al Sadd as the team paid Al Duhail back in their coin, winning with the same margin they were beaten with at last year's final - held to inaugurate the Al Janoub Stadium. The match was Xavi's last match as a player before taking up the mantle as the coach of The Wolves.

While Al Sadd celebrates yet another title, for Al Arabi, meanwhile, the 27-year-old long drought for the title continues. In the end, The Dream Team and their fans can take consolation in the fact that they gave their best on the day.

It was just that the best wasn't good enough against an Al Sadd team who are currently enjoying the best form in the country.

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