JEDDAH, 4 April 2005 — Brazilian international Rugerio slammed a pair of goals to inspire Saudi club Al-Ahli to a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their home and away quarterfinal match with Al-Ismaili of Egypt in the Arab Champions League yesterday.
The victory before their wildly cheering fans at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium also gave the Jeddah-based team the confidence they need ahead of the match Wednesday against Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Champions League eliminations where they sit on top of Group D with six points from two consecutive victories.
The return of four Ahli mainstays from a variety of injuries including captain and defender Mohammad Al Khelawi made a positive impact on the team as they took control against the tough Egyptian side that topped the Group C eliminations.
After Rugerio gave Ahli a 1-0 lead with a header in the 47th minute Keem, also returning from injury, partnered with his fellow Brazilian in launching dangerous on enemy territory.
On defense, Ahli parried one attempt after another by Ismaili and controlled the midfield to hold on to their advantage up to the very end.
A stupid tackle on Rugerio in the waning seconds of injury-time led to his second goal of the match as he tricked the Ismaili goalkeeper to slot home a powerful penalty shot.
The first half ended goalless.
In addition to Khelawi and Keem Talal Al Mishal and Ali Al Abdali played their first game back from injury for Ahli.
Meantime, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal take on separate opponents today. Hilal, the second qualifier from Group C, face Al-Weda of Morroco in Riyadh. Ittihad meet MC Algiers in an away match in Algeria.
Everton Loss Hits
Champions League Bid
In London, West Bromwich Albion boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premiership with a 1-0 victory over Champions League hopefuls Everton yesterday, agencies add.
It was the Baggies’ second win in a row while the Merseysiders were condemned to a third straight defeat and are now just one point ahead of local rivals Liverpool in the hunt for the fourth Champions League spot.
Earlier, Fulham won the relegation battle 3-1 against Portsmouth at Craven Cottage to leapfrog their opponents in the table.
In a turgid affair at the Hawthorns, West Brom deservedly took the lead on 63 minutes when Hungarian forward Zoltan Gera climbed superbly to head home Jonathan Greening’s cross. The goal brought the match to life with Everton having appeals for a penalty turned down for a tug on Tim Cahill’s shirt by Gera before West Brom’s Martin Albrechtsen saw his effort moments later cannon off the post.
Marcus Bent twice went close to an equalizer as Everton pressed in the closing stages but the Albion defense held firm for just their fifth win of the season. Fulham gained a crucial three points in their bid to secure their Premiership status.
Ferguson Sent Off but Rangers
Go Top After Win
In Glasgow, Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a dramatic 3-2 win at Motherwell despite having Barry Ferguson sent off late in the second half yesterday. Gregory Vignal scored twice for Rangers in the first half and Croatian striker Dado Prso grabbed the third five minutes after the interval.
Motherwell pulled a goal back with a Kevin McBride penalty on 70 minutes after Rangers defender Bob Malcolm played the ball with an arm. Rangers had Ferguson sent off for a second booking on 78 minutes after a bust-up with Motherwell’s Richie Foran.
Motherwell’s Martyn Corrigan then saw his late shot deflected into the net but Rangers held on for the win. Rangers leapfrog Celtic into top slot with 78 points from 31 games.
Resurgent Dortmund
Beat Hertha 2-1
In Berlin, Borussia Dortmund ended Hertha Berlin’s four-game unbeaten streak and climbed two spots in the Bundesliga table to ninth with a 2-1 victory yesterday.
Bayern Munich, tuning up for their Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Chelsea on Wednesday, stayed just in front of Schalke 04 at the top on Saturday with a comfortable 3-0 win at VfL Wolfsburg. Schalke crushed FC Nuremberg 4-1. Both Bayern and Schalke have 56 points but Bayern, who lost striker Claudio Pizarro to a thigh injury that will keep him out against Chelsea, lead on goal difference. Dortmund led 2-0 at halftime with goals from Brazilian Ewerthon and Ebi Smolarek before Germany defender Arne Friedrich halved the deficit after 62 minutes. Hertha goalkeeper Christian Fielder stopped shots from Smolarek and Ewerthon, while Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller was also busy in front of 76,100 spectators.
Bronckhorst Earns
Point for Barcelona
In Madrid, an injury-time goal from Giovanni van Bronckhorst allowed Primera Liga leaders Barcelona to come from behind and draw 3-3 with 10-man Real Betis in the Nou Camp yesterday.
Barca extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points with second-placed Real Madrid playing lowly Albacete later. Betis stay fourth behind Villarreal, who beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on Saturday. Joaquin scored the first of his two goals after 12 minutes but Betis held the lead for only four minutes before Samuel Eto’o leveled from the penalty spot. Betis defender David Rivas was shown a red card in the penalty incident. His side went on to score again through Ricardo Oliveira before the break before Joaquin made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute.
Espanyol moved up to fifth after they overcame Racing Santander 3-1. Sevilla kept their hopes of a European place alive with a 1-0 win over Numancia, as did Deportivo Coruna with a 1-0 victory in Levante.
