JEDDAH, 7 September 2004 — Al-Ittihad and Al-Ittifaq of Dammam played out a 1-1 draw in the King Fahd Cup Soccer Tournament at the Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Stadium in Dammam.
After losing to Al-Taie in their away match in Hail last week, Ittihad needed a much better result to put their campaign on course. Though they did turn in a cohesive display, their scoring was once again poor.
It was the hosts Ittifaq who will be ruing the chances that got away and also with it the maximum points, especially after racking up their lone score in the very first minute of the match. Saeed Al Aboud was on target.
Stunned by this early reverse, Ittihad turned on the heat and their aggression paid dividends with Khames Al Zahrana’s crisp pass unerringly sent home by Khaled Ghahwaji for the 16th minute equalizer.
The match then eased up with the teams playing out a protracted tussle for midfield superiority with moves and countermoves being strung sporadically.
Twice Ittifaq should have clinched it, but Al Aboud missed a gilt-edged chance in the second half and then Tarwi helplessly watched his shot thud out of harm’s way from the left post.
