JEDDAH, 15 November 2005 — Saudi Arabia opened their tuneup matches in preparation for next summer’s World Cup in Germany with a 3-1 defeat last night by Ghana in an international friendly match at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.
After a probing battle in the midfield during the first 30 minutes Saudi Arabia scored the first goal in the 36th minute when Nawaf Al-Tumyat converted a long shot from outside the penalty box. Ghana was quick to equalize in the 41st minute through Asyan Montari. Asimwa Jan added another goal four minutes later to give Ghana a 2-1 lead at the break.
Jan hit Ghana’s third goal in the 72nd minute following a defensive lapse by the Saudi sweeper.
Ghana used their quickness to outpace the Saudis and gain total control of the midfield.
Muhammad Al-Shalhoub, Saudi midfielder, said after the match that this was not the Saudi team playing their true potential. He promised to show a better performance for the Saudi team in the next match.
He said, “Ghana is strong and has good professional players that play in Europe. This was not the performance we hoped for and we are going to correct the mistakes before the next friendly match. We thank the Saudi fans for coming and supporting us and we apologize for this weak performance. This was a good learning experience for us.”
Los Angeles Win MLS Cup Final
AP adds: In Frisco, Texas, Guillermo Ramirez spectacularly scored off a leaping volley in the first period of extra time for the Los Angeles Galaxy to beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final on Sunday.
Landon Donovan’s corner kick was met by New England goalkeeper Matt Reis, who punched it directly to Ramirez, who’d come in for Ned Grabavoy in the 66th minute.
“You can’t really describe what you’re feeling when you score a goal like that,” Ramirez said through a translator. “It was a beautiful moment.”
