JEDDAH, 2 March 2005 — With still fighting chances despite the tall odds, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli take on separate opponents at the end today of group matches in the Arab Champions League.
Ittihad have an away Group B match against Wefaq Steef in Algeria while Ahli host Bizertin of Tunisia in a do-or-die Group D contest, as both teams look to seal their spots in the quarterfinals.
A third Saudi club, Al-Hilal, were to play Tunisia’s C. Africain in their final match yesterday. They already qualified from Group C with eight points along with Al Esmaeli of Egypt on 13 points.
Though sitting on top of Group B with 10 points Ittihad can’t afford to lose but a draw is enough for them to go through and a win would make them the top qualifiers.
Ahli of Qatar also have eight points like Wefaq Steef and are widely tipped to advance with an easy game against bottom team Ghazl Al-Mahalla of Egypt today.
Having drawn all their past group matches for five points, Ahli were given a lifeline when Algeria’s Naser Hussein and Bizertin drew their match 1-1.
But Ahli’s one and only hope is to beat the Tunisian club.
Nasser Hussein are on top of the group with seven points with Wedad of Morocco in second position with six points. Bizertin also have five points although Ahli are ahead on goal difference.
Wedad, who play host to Hussein, need to win if they were to qualify outright and avoid complications.
Arsenal’s Pennant Jailed for Drink-Driving
In London, Arsenal soccer player Jermaine Pennant was jailed for three months yesterday after being convicted of drink-driving while banned from the road, Reuters add.
The former England under-21 midfielder, on loan to Birmingham City, was arrested in January when he crashed a Mercedes into a lamp post in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, northwest of London.
At the time, he was already serving a 16-month ban imposed for another drink-driving offense. He was sentenced at Aylesbury Magistrates Court after pleading guilty.
Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said Pennant would need help to restart his career when he came out of prison.
