JEDDAH, 15 September 2003 — Al-Hilal racked up their first victory after three successive draws with a convincing 2-1 victory over Al-Ahli, whose campaign in the King Fahd Premier Soccer League has got off to a mixed start at best.
Al-Nasr too secured a 2-1 victory of Al-Qadisiya in Dammam and Al-Wehda trounced Al-Taie 6-1 in Hail in the other matches of the day.
Both the Riyadh teams, Hilal and Nasr, had to rely on goals coming in the injury time to unlock the 1-1 stalemates they were locked in.
At the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Hilal looked destined to end their fourth outing in the league in a draw when Ahmad Al-Suweilah cashed in on a momentary lapse on the part of Ahli goalkeeper to score. The Ahli keeper put himself out of position with a early effort to dispossess Suweilah. He only succeeded in giving the striker a clear look at the goal. The Hilal striker took the opportunity to hit home the winner.
Earlier, Ahli were given the lead in the 20th minute when Naif Al-Ghadi converted from the spot. Hilal equalized six minutes later when Trawari ran in neatly to crown a fine solo effort.
Nasr take over the top spot with ten points, while Wehda, Hilal and Ahli are level with six points, but Wehda and Hilal take the fourth and fifth rung ahead of Ahli on goal difference.
Commentator Qudsi
Dies of Heart Attack
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s first radio commentator Zahid Qudsi died yesterday following an heart attack. He died at Al-Nur Hospital in Makkah. Qudsi, president of the commentators’ association, was the voice of soccer in the Kingdom.
