Al Ahli face Al Markhiya in the quarterfinal of the 2023-2024 season Ooredoo Cup at the Grand Hamad Stadium of Al Arabi club on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. The kick-off is at 7.30pm.

The match will be of great importance for both coaches especially since the league championship has taken a break due to the preparations for Asian Cup 2023 as this is a golden opportunity to correct the mistakes that appeared in the league.

Al Ahli go into the match in upbeat mood after their 5-3 victory over Al Duhail in the Week 12 of Expo Stars League, while Al Markhiya suffer a decline in results and had lost 0-6 to Al Rayyan in Week 12.

Al Markhiya coach Madjid Bougherra wants to take advantage of the tournament to put the team back on track before the league resumes in February.

Al Markhiya qualified for the quarterfinals by finishing third in Group B with seven points (two wins, a draw and a loss), behind Al Rayyan and Al Duhail.

Al Ahli reached the quarterfinals as runners-up from Group A with 10 points (three wins, one draw and a loss) behind Umm Salal..

Al Ahli mainly rely on Oumar Sekou, the tournament top scorer with five goals, while Yusupha Njie, the second-best scorer along with Umm Salal’s Andy Delort (four goals), is expected to lead Al Markhiya’s challenge.