Qatar Stars Cup
The Qatar Stars Cup of the Qatar Stars League is a prestigious knockout tournament featuring the nation's top clubs in a thrilling quest for the national trophy. Organized by the Qatar Football Association, it complements the regular league season with added drama and excitement.
History and foundation
Launched in 2019 amid league reforms to boost entertainment, the inaugural edition saw Al-Duhail triumph 4-1 over Al-Ahli. Al-Sadd claimed victory in 2021 under Felipe Santos, while Al-Arabi pulled off a shock win in 2023. The cup has spotlighted Asian stars during Qatar's 2022 World Cup hosting.
Tournament format
Pure playoff format: 12 league teams split into three groups of four; group winners and top runners-up advance to quarterfinals. Single-elimination matches follow, culminating in a final on neutral venues like Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, typically in April-May.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking to 3.5 in knockouts due to attacking flair. Top scorers include Julio Cesar (Al-Sadd, 5 goals in 2022) and Arif Al-Huwaile (Al-Duhail, 4 in 2020). Standouts: Akram Afif (Iran), Nam Tae-hee (South Korea), Lee Jae-sung, blending expats with local prodigies.