Emir's Cup
The Emir's Cup is Qatar's premier knockout competition, run by the Qatar Football Association. It pits top domestic clubs against each other for national glory and AFC Champions League qualification, known for its intense matches and upsets.
History and foundation
Launched in 1959, it's one of the Arab world's oldest cups. Al-Sadd leads with 18 wins since 1971, after Al-Nasr's inaugural triumph. Highlights include Al-Sadd's 3-0 final rout of Al-Rayyan in 2019 and Al-Duhail's 5-4 thriller against Al-Ahli in 2022. Revamped in the 1990s for more excitement.
Tournament format
Single-elimination format with 20 teams from all divisions. One-off ties lead to knockouts, culminating in the final at Emir's Stadium (12,000 capacity). Runs from October to May, syncing with the league calendar.
Interesting facts
Averages 2.8 goals per game, spiking to 3.5 in knockouts. All-time top scorer: Julio Cesar (Al-Sadd, 25 goals). Stars like Sebastian Jimenez (2019 brace), Akram Afif (2018 hat-trick), and internationals Rafael Soares and Nam Tae-hee shine. Young guns like Abdulaziz Hatter, 2023/24's sharpshooter, emerge here.