Wednesday, 23rd March, 2022

17:05 kick-off at Al Sadd Stadium

Al Wakrah face Al Gharafa in the first semifinal of 2021-2022 season Ooredoo Cup at the Al Sadd Stadium on Wednesday. The kick-off is at 17:05.

Al Wakrah qualified for the semifinals by topping the five-team Group A with 18 points (six wins and two defeats). The Blue Wave had a goal difference of +11 (20 goals for and nine against).

On the other hand, Al Gharafa made it to the semifinals as the runners-up of Group B with 11 points (three victories, as many defeats and two draws). The Cheetahs had a goal difference of -3 (15 goals for and 18 against).

Meanwhile, Al Wakrah had finished in the creditable third position in the recently-concluded 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League with 37 points (11 wins, four draws and seven defeats), while Al Gharafa missed out on the top-four finish and ended up fifth with 30 points (nine wins, three draws and 10 defeats).

In the last face-off between the two teams, Al Gharafa defeated Al Wakrah 4-1 in the Amir Cup semifinal recently. However, Al Gharafa lost to Al Duhail by a 1-5 margin in the final.

On to the Ooredoo Cup semifinal, both sides may be without their international players (Qatari and overseas) who are on duty with the national teams, but that will not deter them from giving off their best.

Besides, it is a great opportunity for substitute players and youngsters looking for more match experience.

It will also be a tactical face-off between the coaches, Spaniard Marquez Lopez (Al Wakrah) and Italian Andrea Stramaccioni (Al Gharafa), who are proven masters.