QSL side Lekhwiya produced a memorable fightback to win their maiden Emir Cup title after a penalty shootout against title holders Al Sadd at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The Red Knights came from two goals behind to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out.
Lekhwiya scored of all their four penalties after both ended teams ended 2-2 in regulation time which eventually saw Lekhwiya prevail with a seal a 4-2 score line. The final was witnessed by the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and scores of other dignitaries.
The first half was a tight affair with both sides battling for possession, and both sides went in at 0-0. The second half sprang into action and Sadd quickly raced into the lead with two goals in five minutes.
Sadd striker Bagdad Bounjah opened the scoring on the 62nd minute with a fine half volleyed effort. A clipped long ball up to the Algerian striker was calmly controlled and Bounjah ‘s fierce shot sailed into the left hand corner.
Just five minutes later, Sadd doubled their lead thanks to Abdulkareem Hassan. A well placed freekick from Xavi found the head of Hassan, who placed his header into the bottom left hand corner. The Emir cup seemed destined for Al Sadd.
The Lekhwiya comeback started on the 69th minute. Nam Tae Hee swung in an inch perfect cross which was met by Chico Flores who nodded in from close range. Seven minutes later Lekhwiya pulled their way back into the clash. This time Nam Tae curled the ball into the net with a fine shot from inside the box.
With the match in deadlock, the tie went straight to penalties. Nam Tae-hee scored the decisive penalty after team-mates Alain Dioko, Luiz Martin and Chico Flores fired home with ease. The fifth penalty was not needed. Al Sadd’s Khalfan Ibrahim, Nadir Belhadj and Ibrahim Maged missed their penalties.
The win sealed a famous maiden victory for the Red Knights, who lifted the cup after receiving it from Emir H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
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