Al Rayyan to Face Shabab Al Ahli in Challenge Shield Showdown

Al Rayyan will square off against UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli in a highly anticipated clash for the Challenge Shield of the Qatar-UAE Super Cup on Thursday at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The match is set to kick off at 6 PM.

The Lions enter the game on the back of a resounding 6-2 victory over Umm Salal in Week 12 of the Ooredoo Stars League. While the competition differs in scope, Al Rayyan will aim to carry their winning momentum into this high-stakes encounter.

Speaking ahead of the match, Al Rayyan coach Artur Jorge emphasized the significance of the occasion. “It is a great achievement to reach this stage, and now we are playing for a title. This is a responsibility for the technical staff and players,” he said. “I know Paulo Sousa, the coach of Shabab Al Ahli, very well and am aware of the collective and individual capabilities of their team. Our players need the support of the fans, as winning this match will be a great motivation for us.”

Al Rayyan’s defender Andre Amaro echoed his coach’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s readiness. “We’ve implemented the coach’s instructions and corrected mistakes. We’ll go into the match with a winning mentality, building on the positives from our last game. The new coach has brought fresh ideas, and we are prepared to face the challenge with enthusiasm and determination,” he said.

Shabab Al Ahli, led by Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, are equally determined. Sousa expressed his anticipation for the match and acknowledged its competitive nature. “This is an important game at a high level, and finals are often decided on small details. We need to be focused and give our best to achieve the title,” he said.

Shabab Al Ahli player Saeed Ezzat reinforced his team’s ambitions, stating, “We respect Al Rayyan and their strengths, but our goal is to win all championships and compete for titles.”

The Qatar-UAE Super Cup, now in its second edition, features eight clubs—four each from Qatar and the UAE—competing for four titles.

The series will continue with UAE’s Al Nasr facing Qatar SC for the Super Cup on January 17 at Dubai’s Al Maktoum Stadium. On January 18, Al Sadd, Qatar Stars League champions, will play UAE League winners Al Wasl for the Super Shield at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. The final match will see Al Wakrah, 2024 Qatar Cup champions, take on UAE’s Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup holders, for the Challenge Cup on January 19 in Abu Dhabi.