JEDDAH, 6 January 2006 — Al-Ahli entered the semifinals after winning a derby match against archrivals Ittihad on Sunday. The match ended 1-1 and extra time ended without result. On the penalty shootout, Ahli scored four goals while Ittihad’s Ahmad Al-Dokhi and Hamad Al-Montashiri missed their penalties, ending the game 5-2 in Ahli’s favor. This was the first loss for Ittihad after returning home in December from the FIFA World Club Championship in Japan. Critics attributed Ahli’s victory to the club’s new coach whose tactics and planning brought good results.
Ahli’s introduction of fresh blood in this derby match was considered a brave move. Sharpening knives over Ittihad’s loss, critics blamed Ittihad’s hubris following its brilliant performance in Japan, thus underestimating and disregarding their opponents. Fans also blamed Muhammad Kallon and Job for below-par performance. Ahli will play against Al-Shabab in first-leg match of Crown Prince Cup in Riyadh on Feb. 1. Shabab also qualified for the semifinals after winning an easy match against Al-Hamada, 4-1. Al-Wehda of Makkah secured a huge win against Al-Nasr in Makkah after beating them 1-0. The win put a question mark on Nasr’s performance within the league and abroad. Wehda will face Hilal in Riyadh in first-leg match. Hilal advanced to the semifinals after defeating Qadiseya in Dammam 2-0.
Saudi Football League:
Round 13 of the Saudi Football League will resume today with two important matches. The first match will be between the bottom-ranking Al-Abha and Al-Ansar. Both teams are in the relegation zone with five and four points, respectively. The second match will be between Al-Ahli and Wehda in Jeddah. Ahli’s huge win against favorites Ittihad is bound to give them an edge for collecting three points to help offset the ones lost in the first round. Round 13 will continue until tomorrow with matches between Al-Shabab against Al-Ittifaq in Riyadh, Al-Hilal against Al-Hazem in Riyadh and Ittihad against Taie in Jeddah.
Saudi League First Division:
Jabaleen continued to lead the league’s first division with 22 points. Khaleej is in the second place and in the tail of Jabaleen with 21 points equal with Riyadh who’s in third place with 21 points but in third place because of goal differences. Najran and Damak are in fourth and fifth position with 20 points each. From looking at the standing of the first six teams in the league we see the big competition between the teams. The point difference between the first and the sixth position team is 3 points only which signals that the competition is going to be more interesting as the league continues.
Kallon to Leave Ittihad:
Ittihad professional player Kallon expressed his desire to leave Ittihad and not to renew his contract for another period after the end of World Cup in Japan. He contacted Ittihad administration after the match with Ahli to express his desire again to leave Ittihad. Ittihad club President Mansour Al-Balawi diferred the decision until he meets with the player and will decide whether he would stay or leave.
