Tamara Al Sayed
Al Gharafa SC were crowned champions of the 2025 HH the Amir Cup after a gripping 2–1 win over Al Rayyan at a packed Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday night. The victory secured Al Gharafa’s eighth Amir Cup title, their first since 2012, and a coveted berth in next season’s AFC Champions League.
It was a dream start for the Doha-based club, which came out with clear intent. Ferjani Sassi opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, arriving in the box with perfect timing to finish off a smooth attacking move. That early breakthrough rattled Al Rayyan, and Al Gharafa capitalized further in the 18th minute when Spanish striker Joselu powered home a header after reacting fastest to a loose ball from a set piece. The goal was Joselu’s 18th of the season, capping a standout campaign for the former La Liga forward.
Al Rayyan, who came into the final hoping to lift their seventh title, found themselves with an uphill task. Their response came early in the second half after Al Gharafa goalkeeper Cheick N'Diaye mishandled a cross, leading to a penalty. Brazilian forward Roger Guedes stepped up and calmly slotted it past the keeper in the 49th minute to cut the deficit in half.
The game shifted dramatically when Al Gharafa’s Sano was sent off just before the hour mark, leaving his side to defend their slender lead with ten men. Al Rayyan pressed relentlessly, dominating possession and coming agonizingly close to equalizing, including a strike that clattered off the woodwork. But Gharafa’s disciplined defensive effort and tireless work rate across the pitch saw them through to the final whistle.
For Al Rayyan, it was another heartbreak in the competition’s showpiece, marking their 13th defeat in 19 Amir Cup finals. In contrast, the final whistle sparked wild celebrations for Al Gharafa, whose loyal supporters have waited 13 years for this moment.
The win was particularly sweet for Joselu, who not only delivered a crucial goal on the night but also played a leading role throughout the campaign. The result also evoked memories of Gharafa’s golden era in the 1990s, when they won the cup four years in a row from 1995 to 1998.
Saturday’s final had all the ingredients of a classic: early goals, high drama, a red card, and a tense finale, and it will be remembered as a shining example of Gharafa’s grit and resurgence on the biggest stage in Qatari football.