JEDDAH, 10 November 2005 — The Saudi soccer league resumes today after a long break during the Ramadan and Eid holidays with a match between Al-Ahli of Jeddah and Al-Ittifaq of Dammam in Dammam.
Tomorrow, Al-Wehda of Makkah host Taie of Hail and Al-Shabab of Riyadh entertain Abha of Abha. On Saturday, Al-Hazem host Al-Ittihad in Al-Rass and Al-Hilal face Al-Qadisiya.
Ahli will be looking to make up the points they lost as a result of draws in their last two outings. In fourth place with eight points from four games, Ahli will attempt to reverse their fortunes in a bid to advance to the final four that will give them a chance to compete for the cup. Ittifaq are in eighth position with two points from two draws and two loses. Facing a daunting task against Ahli, they will try to win their first match and hopefully get out of cellar.
The team standings are as follows:
1. Hilal 12 points, 2. Qadisiya 10 3. Shabab 8 4. Ahli 8 5. Wehda 7 6. Taie 7 7. Al-Nasr 6 8. Ittifaq 2 9. Al-Ansar 2 10. Al-Hazem 2 11. Ittihad 1 12. Abha 1.
Meanwhile, the general supervisor of football at Ahli club, Wajdi Al-Taweel, has resigned for unknown reasons. Ahli club refused to comment on his resignation saying that they tried to contact him but he was not available on the phone. The club appointed Khaled Al-Shafie in his place on a temporary basis.
Independiente Win Helped by
Another Aguero Masterpiece
In Buenos Aires, teenage striker Sergio Aguero scored another superb goal to complete Independiente’s 4-2 away win over Arsenal in the Argentine championship. Reuters adds.
The 17-year-old, who was in Argentina winning squad at the World Youth Cup in June, beat two defenders and then unleashed an unstoppable long-range shot which flew past Esteban Dreer in the 87th minute of Tuesday night’s game.
Santiago Raymonda had put Arsenal ahead before headed goals from Emiliano Armenteros and Uruguayan midfielder Sergio Orteman put the Red Devils ahead.
Juan Pablo Caffa equalized for Arsenal in the 71st minute before Independiente regained the lead with another header, this time from Jeremias Caggiano.
