Al Gharafa coach Christian Gourcuff spoke to the media ahead of their QSL Cup final against Al Duhail, to be played on Thursday, 31st January.

Al Gharafa reached the final at the expense of Al Kharaitiyat who defeated the former in the semifinal. However, that result was overturned by the Qatar Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee after Al Gharafa protested that Al Kharaitiyat violated the rule of resident players and fielded six of them in the match in place of a maximum five.

“This is a special competition played in FIFA dates. This is a good opportunity for young players. We’ve many players presently doing duty for Qatar at the Asian Cup in the UAE and also have some injury worries. (Wesley) Sneijder is almost ruled out for the match, but midfielder Diogo Amado can play tomorrow.

“We will try to field the best available team. We’ve to overcome difficulties. Al Duhail aren’t the same side as they’re in the QNB Stars League. Yet, they’re a good mix of youth and experience. They proved it especially against Qatar SC in the semifinal.

“We’ll try to put up an improved show than we did against Al Kharaitiyat in the semifinal. Our goal is to win the QSL Cup again.

“I respect Al Duhail’s Under-23 coach (Madjid) Bougherra. I was his master with the Algerian national team. He has a good coaching career ahead of him.

“It’s not going to be a question of who will’ve the last laugh – master or student? A good master makes his student better than him,” said Gourcuff.