JEDDAH, 21 August 2005 — Al-Shabab of Riyadh and Jeddah’s Al-Ahli of Jeddah rolled to big victories against Al-Taie of Hail and Al-Hazem of Al-Rass in Group B matches in the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup soccer competiton.
Ahli crushed Al-Hazem 4-1 in a one sided match at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium here while Shabab were equally ruthless in a 6-1 romp over Al-Taie of Hail in Hail.
Ahli striker Ahli Al-Dawi opened the account for his team in the 11th minute with a nice shot outside the penalty box. Al-Hazem equalized in the 53rd minute when Riyadh Al-Rawdan drilled a shot inside the penalty box.
Hussein Abdul Ghani scored Ahli’s second goal in the 57th minute from a free kick. Strikes by Majed Al-Subhi and Abdu Hawsawi in the 85th and 89th minutes rounded off the Ahli goalfest.
Shabab’s fluent attack produced goals at regular intervals. Five minutes into the game Fahd Adam netted Shabab’s first goal followed by Muhammad Al-Fifi in the 33rd minute on a penalty kick Faisal Al-Sultan in the 35th minute Muhammad Hulaiel in the 50th minute Ahmad Al-Sultan , in the 65th minute and Sanah Ahmad in the 70th minute. The only goal for Taie came in the 8th minute.
Al-Ittihad are to recall their six players from the national team in the aftermath of embarrassing losses against Al-Ittifaq 4-0 and Abha 3-1 in Group C.
Meantime, Saudi teams face relatively easy first round matches following a draw for the Arab Champions League. Al-Qadisiya will be up against Al-Zawraa of Iraq in a two-legged match. Al-Nasr will take on Shabab Jordan of Jordan in another home and away series.
The home matches will be played Sept. 12, 13 and 14 and the away ties Sept. 26, 27, and 28, with the winners moving on to the final eight.
