JEDDAH, 26 May 2005 — Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli team crushed Al-Jaish of Syria 4-0 yesterday to qualify as the top team from Group D in the quarterfinals of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Champions League.
The match played in Damascus was a non-bearing one for Ahli but this did not stop the side from totally dominating the overmatched Al-Jaish squad. The game saw three red cards flashed to the Syrian coach and his two defenders.
The goalfeast started in the 29th minute with a fine header by Malek Moaz. Soon after in the 37th minute, Ahli midfielder Alessandro scored a nice goal ending the first half 2-0 for Ahli. The same player came in the second half and scored the third goal for Ahli in the 49th minute. Fawzi Al-Shihri scored the final goal for Ahli in the 75th minute ending the match and sealing Ahli’s spot in the next round with a table-topping 15 points.
They join fellow Saudi squad and defending champion Al-Ittihad who has been seeded in the last eight of the competition.
