Martins outsmarts Jorge, clinching the Emir of Qatar Cup victory
In the 2025 Qatar Amir Cup final, Al Gharafa secured their eighth trophy with a hard-fought victory over Al Rayyan, thanks to a brace of early goals and a decisive penalty kick from Roger Guedes in the 50th minute.
The match started promisingly for Al Rayyan, with Sassi scoring in the 4th minute and Joselu adding a goal in the 18th, but it wasn't enough to counter Guedes' impact. Despite Sano's red card in the 63rd minute, the outcome remained unchanged, with Al Rayyan falling short once more in the Amir Cup final after what was now two consecutive defeats.
Al Gharafa, who had finished third in the league, won by Al Sadd, opted to focus on the Cup following their elimination in the group stage of the Asian Champions League. Their tournament-winning squad featured key foreign figures such as Yacine Brahimi and Rodrigo, the ex-Porto and Benfica players, respectively.
Heading Al Gharafa's charge was Pedro Martins, the 54-year-old coach noted for his tactical brilliance and unyielding determination. Martins, who had coached Olympiacos to three Greek championships and a Greek Cup, celebrated his first title in Qatar since his arrival at Al Gharafa in 2022. Operating with a competent support staff of assistant managers and specialized coaches, Martins' enduring guidance proved crucial in securing the Amir Cup victory.
Also read about Pedro Martins being nominated for the Best Coach of the Year Award in Qatar for the 2025 season.
Benfica's Yacine Brahimi and Rodrigo, former players of the Portuguese club, played pivotal roles in Al Gharafa's success in the 2025 Amir Cup, as they helped secure the trophy against Al Rayyan, propelling them into the Champions League, where their next challenge will be against other European leagues' representatives. As the season draws to a close, Pedro Martins, the 54-year-old coach of Al Gharafa, is also nominated for the Best Coach of the Year Award in Qatar for his exceptional performance during the 2025 season.
