Thursday evening will see the kick-off of the 2017 Qatar Cup tournament when Al Rayyan take on Al Sadd. Ahead of the big match, Lions coach Michael Laudrup & Al Sadd boss Jesaldo Ferriera spoke to spoke to the media ahead of the match. 
Michael Laudrup opened up the press conference, conceding that his side are looking to reach the Qatar Cup final. "Al Sadd is the toughest opponent in Qatar for Al Rayyan, we lost twice to them in the league and we will be looking to get one over Al Sadd." "If we win two games we can be champion, but this is a busy month for Al Rayyan with matches in the Qatar Cup, Emir Cup & AFC Champions League. We have a important game in the champions league in Abu Dhabi and I know that my side will give it’s all in this match" added the Danish coach. 
Laudrup reaffirmed that his squad are eager to defeat their local rivals. "I don’t like the word revenge in football. But I know that my squad really wants to win after losing twice in the league to Al Sadd. This is cup football and we have a chance to lift silverware this season." Whilst Al Rayyan defender Musab Kheder added that his side will be at full concentration for the match. "It’s a important match, and we have no choice but to win against Al Sadd. In the last game we had a player sent off against Al Sadd, and we were punished, so we will have to be concentrated for this match." As for Al Sadd they have enjoyed two victories over their rivals in the league. Head coach Jesaldo Ferrira spoke to the media about the Thursday evening clash. 
The Portugeese coach opened up the press conference stressing that the tie will be a real challenge for his side. "The semi-final is seen as a final when you play Al Rayyan. We are facing last season's champion, it will be difficult to predict the result. We are aiming for the win, and the aim is to reach the final." "All clubs have a cycle it has been a while that Al Sadd have lifted a trophy. We want to win the Qatar Cup and then the Emir Cup that is the mentality of the squad that I have here" added Ferriera, when asked about Al Sadd’s desire to win a major trophy. 
Former Al Rayyan defender Hamid Ismail is targeting a repeat league performance for Sadd against their rivals. "Matches between Al Rayyan & Al Sadd are always exceptional, they are different from the other matches. We will try and keep the same level performance that we have had against Al Rayyan in the league. 

Source: QNA