Qatar’s new football season (2019-20) will kick off with the Sheikh Jassim Cup, the traditional season opening tournament of Qatar Football Association (QFA), organisers said yesterday.
The Sheikh Jassim Cup, launched in 1977, over the years, has been played in the month of August and sets things in motion for an exciting season.
The football governing body in the country will shortly decide on the date, venue and other details.
The tournament is a one-off match between the winners of the QNB Star League (QSL) and Amir Cup.
Al Sadd, by virtue of being the winners of the Falcon Shield have already qualified for the tournament and will know about their opponents only at the end of the ongoing Amir Cup final which takes place on May 16 at Al Wakrah Stadium.
Al Rayyan won the previous edition of the Sheikh Jassim Cup after beating Al Duhail 6-4.
Al Sadd have the most impeccable record in the tournament with 14 trophies.
The Wolves’ last win was in the 2017-18 season when they defeated Al Duhail. They won the title in 2014-15 season, when the format was reduced to one-off match.
Before the 2014-15 season, the tournament was played between the First Division and Second Division clubs.
Previously, the tournament involved 18 clubs, divided into four groups. The teams played on a league format, followed by the semi-finals.
