El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi said his side would go all out against a resurgent Al Rayyan in the day’s other quarter-final. Al Rayyan, who were out of the Qatar Stars League last season, but bounced back into the top flight by winning the QatarGas League and have looked dangerous in the Emir Cup so far with victories over Al Wakrah and Al Ahli.

The Lions are also on course for a possible final berth in the GCC Champions League where they face Oman’s Al Seeb in their semi-finals second leg later this month. “It will be a tricky game against Al Rayyan,” said Lamouchi. “It’s going to be very diffi cult, but we will play for a win.”

The Frenchman hopes to make amends for his team’s loss in the Qatar Cup final to Lekhwiya. “I hope we go the distance. There’s a great deal of motivation among the players. We have a young team who need to learn how to win. They need to apply themselves.”

Al Rayyan, could be without their talisman Rodrigo Tabata in today’s game. The Brazilian picked up an injury last week, but coach Manuel Jimenez is still hoping against hope he would be fit. “Ninety-nine percent he is not playing, but of course I am going to wait until the last moment for him. This is the end of the season and injuries are normal. But Rayyan are a very ambitious side. Whether it’s the GCC Champions League or the Emir Cup we play to win every match.”