JEDDAH, 13 May 2005 — Al-Hilal and Al-Qadisiya clash today in the final match in the Crown Prince Cup soccer tournament at the King Fahd International Stadium here.
There will be no quarters asked nor given as both teams try to outdo each other in the hope of bringing home the prestigious cup.
Hilal will be banking on their championship experience but Qadisiya, the surprise package of the tournament, are no pushover themselves.
Hilal have won the competition four times in seven occasions they made the final and Qadisiya last tasted victory here in 1992 when they won the final on penalty kicks against Al-Shabab.
Some of Hilal’s established stars including goalkeeper Muhammad Al-Daie are sidelined due to injuries and the Riyadh-based team’s inspirational captain Sami Al-Jaber remains a doubtful starter. Hilal’s coach rested his key players in the last game against Ittihad to prepare them for today’s all-important game.
Nothwithstanding the apparent shortage of manpower Hilal coach, Baketa, is confident his star midfielder, Nawaf Al-Temyat will help deliver Hilal to the promised land.
Baketa has ordered Hilal defenders to tightly mark Qadisiya striker Yasser Al-Qahtani, who has become the headache of many of his team’s opponents. Hilal reached the final after winning against Al-Raid in the opening match 1-0 and against Al-Wehda 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Hilal played home and away semifinal against Ittihad in which Hilal won the home match 1-0 and drew the away contest 1-1 on 2-1 aggregate. The Alkhobar-based Qadisiya had been widely considered a long shot to make the final after a poor start and also because they bracketed with tough team Al-Nasr of Riyadh.
But Al-Qahtani rose to the occasion for Qadisiya and he is currently the most dangerous striker in the Saudi league. Qadisiya reached the final after victories over Al-Riyadh 3-1 in the opener and Al- Shabab on penalty kicks 6-5 in the quarterfinals. Qadisiya won the two-leg semifinals against Nasr by a 3-2 aggregate winning 2-1 at home and drawing 1-1 away in Riyadh.
Eriksson May Try for Beckham, Owen to Face US
In London, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson may try to get David Beckham and Michael Owen released for both US tour matches if Real Madrid lose all chance of the Spanish title before the season finishes, agency adds. Beckham and Owen are only available for the second game against Colombia in New Jersey on May 31, missing the clash with the US in Chicago three days earlier.
