JEDDAH, 14 February 2005 — Al-Ittihad play Ghazl Al-Mahalla of Egypt in a return match today in the Arab Champions League soccer tournament at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.
Also seeing action today are Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. Ahli are on an away assignment against Nasser Hussein in Algeria, while Hilal play host in Riyadh against Al-Esmaeli of Egypt.
Ittihad will be looking to duplicate their 3-1 away win against the Egyptian side and the good news is that the Jeddah-based squad’s players with the national team will rejoin their teammates for today’s crucial game.
A victory by Ittihad, currently on six points in Group B, would push them past inactive leaders Ahli of Qatar, who have seven points.
Hilal are in second place in Group C with six points, three adrift of opponents and group leaders Al-Esmaeli with nine points.
Unlike Ittihad who are widely tipped to hurdle cellar-dweller Ghazl, Hilal’s mission will be a tough one.
After three consecutive draws, Ahli will try and improve their fortunes in the tournament. As it is, Ahli are in bottom of Group D with three points. Naser Hussein are on top of Group D on goal difference over Al-Wedad of Morocco. Both teams have five points.
Making the task all the more difficult for Ahli is fact that they will be missing their captain Hussein Abdul Ghani has been suspended by the tournament’s special committee until March 13 for unsportsmanlike conduct during the match against Al-Wedad of Morocco in Morocco on Jan. 12.
