Suppose midfielder must welcome match before final (4)
I believe the answer is:
semi
'before final' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'suppose midfielder must welcome' is the wordplay.
'welcome' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'welcoming' mean this).
'SEMI' can be found hidden inside 'suppose midfielder must'.
'match' is the link.
This may not be correct. It may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for semi that I've seen before include "Not detached house" , "Prefix denoting half" , "House linked to another" , "accommodation" , "Prefix meaning half (4)" .)