JEDDAH, 5 April 2005 — Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal snatched a 1-0 victory yesterday at home in the first leg of their quarterfinal match with Al-Wedad of Morocco in the Arab Champions League at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
Hilal joins Al-Ahli as the Saudi clubs to win opening home games in the home and away series that will determine the four semifinalists.
Ahli beat Al-Ismaili of Egypt 2-0 on Sunday. A third Saudi team, Al-Ittihad, were to play away to MC Algiers in Algeria in the other match of the day.
An opportunistic goal by captain Sami Al-Jaber in the 14th minute saw Hilal through in the contest that ended with a bizarre incident when one Wedad player took off his shoes and used them to beat up his coach.
His stunned teammates intervened and saved their coach from further beating. The reason which triggered the attack was not established although it could be out of sheer frustration.
The inspirational Al-Jaber, also the captain of Saudi national soccer team, sidefooted the ball into the net in a sequence of play that began with a free kick by Brazilian international Camacho which defender Tafarec headed.
Tafarec’s header was saved by the goalie and the ball ricocheted to the waiting Al-Jaber on the left side.
The Moroccan team launched attacks in the remainder of the first half in search of an equalizer.
Hilal nearly scored their second goal in the 37th minute when midfielder Omar Al-Ghamdi received a nice cross in front of the goal but then he bobbled on his attempt. The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Hilal.
In the second half, Hilal were in control most of the time. Al-Jaber received a very nice cross inside the penalty box in the 60th minute.
He shot the ball toward the goal but was inches wide next to the left post in another missed opportunity.
The result meant Hilal held a one-goal advantage in the away match in Morocco.
