ABHA, 11 August 2004 — Al-Rajaa Club of Morocco defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli Club 1-0 in their opening encounter of the Friendship Cup tournament here yesterday.
Suleiman Rasheed scored the winner for the Moroccan team in the 21st minute of the game. Ahli failed to find an equalizer as its strikers squandered many chances.
The first 15 minutes of the game saw speedy moves by the two teams.
Rasheed of Al-Rajaa converted a good pass from Nafie Yousuf into goal as he sent a powerful shot to the right corner of the Ahli’s net.
The Saudi team in a bid to retrieve the stiuation continued their attacks on the rivals but did not get any goals.
Earlier, Colombia’s America Ducali Club beat Al-Shabab Club, the winner of King Fahd Cup, 1-0 in the opening match of the tournament.
Jeberson Conz clinched the winner for the Colombian team through a penalty kick in the 85th minute of the game.
America Ducali dominated the first half of the game as their strikers put pressure on the Shabab side several times. The Saudi team reached its full form in the second half but its efforts to find an equalizer went in vain.
Shabab’s strikers had also made several potential moves but they failed to break the fortress of Colombian defenders.
