DOHA: The organising committee of Qatar-UAE Super Cup on Tuesday said that preparations are underway for the Super Shield and Challenge Shield matches to take place next week.
The Super Shield will pit Qatar league champions Al Sadd against UAE's ADNOC Pro League champions Al Wasl at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on January 18, whereas the Challenge Shield will be played between Qatar league runners-up, Al Rayyan, and ADNOC Pro League runners-up, Shabab Al Ahli, at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on January 16.
During a press conference discussing all logistical and media preparations, QFA Head of Media Ali Hassan Al Salat said that ticket sale will commence on Wednesday via the Qatar Stars League website, adding that coordination with the UAE side is ongoing regarding fan attendance, along with the opening of registration for media accreditation.
Al Salat said that the aim was to expand the tournament to include 8 teams instead of just 4, adding that this tournament will undoubtedly bring significant benefit both technically and competitively, with the evaluation of this move to follow at a later time.
For his part, Al Sadd SC CEO Turki Al Ali said that his team’s preparations are going well, having played some friendlies recently.
Al Ali added that Al Sadd and Al Wasl faced off one another in the AFC Champions League Elite recently and that competing against the same opponent in the Super Cup will be a positive thing for his team.
The Al Sadd SC CEO expressed great confidence in Al Sadd's coaching staff and players, as well as highlighting the importance of fan attendance.
Meanwhile, director of marketing and public relations at Al Rayyan SC Faisal Alotaibi said that the team’s preparations are going well following the changes made to the technical management, with Portuguese coach Artur Jorge taking over from Qatari coach Younes Ali.
Alotaibi said that the team is now stronger with the return of some players that were absent due to injury and that the match against Umm Salal on Friday will mark the first match with the new coach, hoping to make up for disappointing results and achieve good outcomes.
