Tribune News Network
Doha
A packed Lusail Stadium - venue for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final – will come alive with big action on Friday with Al Hilal SFC – the winner of the Saudi Professional League and Zamalek SC – the champions of the Egyptian Premier League – clashing for the Lusail Super Cup.
The action will kick off
at 9pm.
Any meeting between these clubs is an exciting battle and so it will be in what is also a big test event ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
There is a huge interest among fans with several of them lining up at various booths of the two teams in Qatar to get their photos clicked or get autogarphed t-shirts of the players.
For the teams though it would be serious business on the pitch.
Speaking on the eve of the match, Zamalek’s coach Jesualdo Ferreira, said, “I am happy to be back in Qatar again after years of working here and it is a great honour for me and my team to be in such a big event as the opening of Lusail World Cup Stadium.
“I am proud to be at the opening of three World Cup stadiums, as I was present at the opening of Khalifa International Stadium and the Al Janoub Stadium, and tomorrow I will be present at Lusail Stadium!”
Zamalek player, Mahmoud Abdel Razek, said, “We had an exemplary reception and we are happy to be in Qatar and we are proud to have a large crowd supporting us here and we promise them to be at the best of expectations and provide a good level.”
Al Hilal SFC coach Ramon Diaz also expressed delight on being in Qatar. “I am very happy with the preparations taking place here, and Qatar is a country with great experience in organizing sporting events, and I am sure it will organize a great World Cup.”
On the match with Zamalek, Diaz said, “We know the Zamalek team well and the match will be between two big teams, and I expect the confrontation to be a great deal of strength and excitement.”
Abdullah Al Mayouf, goalkeeper for Al Hilal SFC, said he was eager for the clash. “The confrontation is a good rehearsal before the World Cup and we want to thank Qatar for organizing this big match,” he stressed.
Zamalek may feel to have the edge though since they have won this version of the Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup (held three times previously in 2001, 2003 and 2018) twice.
Yet, both teams would want to take the Cup, especially since it is leading to the biggest event - the World Cup.
For Al Hilal AFC, looking to get over over the events of their previous loss to Al Ahly at the FIFA Club World Cup, this is a great opportunity.
As coach Diaz has earlier stated: “We have not been perfect so far. Al-Hilal are known for sometimes starting slowly but we are looking to get as many points on the board as we can before the league stops for the World Cup and we are confident that we will improve as the season continues.”
Diaz also knows a little about Egyptian football after spending three months in charge of Pyramids FC in 2019, when he came up against current Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira and won.
“I am looking forward to playing against such a big team in a big game and we want to take the trophy home,” he added. South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo is still yet to return from injury but fullback Yasser Al Shahrani should be ready to make his first start.
In contrast, the five-time African champions Zamalek arrive in Qatar fresh after winning the Egyptian Premier League for the 14th time last month.
Since then they lost midfielder Tarek Hamed to Al Hilal’s domestic rivals Al Ittihad as well as Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki to UAE powerhouse Al Jazira. Coach Ferreira does have two new signings however in Moroccan midfielder Zakaria El Wardi and Senegalese winger Ibrahima Ndiaye - from Swiss club Luzern.
Traffic regulations have been put in place for the fans to have an easy access to the stadium where the gates will open at 4.30pm much ahead of the 9pm start.
