JEDDAH, 21 January 2006 — Yugoslav striker Denovitch marked his debut match with Al-Ahli by firing the winner in a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Al-Shabab last night in the Saudi Soccer League at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
Denovitch, who joined the Jeddah-based team only last week, took advantage of a lapse in defense to score the winning goal in the 76th minute.
Ahli did Al-Hilal a favor in beating Shabab as Hilal, who drew with Al-Ittiffaq in Dammam 1-1, tied Shabab on 31 points.
Shabab, however, remain in first place on goal difference. Ahli are solidly in third with 24 points.
Malek Muaaz put Ahli in the lead as he slammed in the fastest goal in the competition.
The match was just a minute old when he found the net and left Shabab stunned.
Ahli sat on a 1-0 lead at the break and it was not until the 54th minute that Shabab equalized with a nice shot from outside the penaty box by Hassan Falata.
Luis Alberto scored the goal for Ittifaq in the 90th minute. Hilal were very quick to equalize seconds later through Ahmad Al- Suwaileh.
In Madinah, Ansar tied 1-1 against Taie.
Ansar are last with 5 points and Taie eighth with 14 points.
Mido Spurs Egypt to Opening-Game Win Over Libya Reuters adds from Cairo: Egypt striker Mido headed an early goal to set the African Nations Cup hosts on their way to a comfortable 3-0 win over Libya in the tournament’s opening game yesterday.
The Tottenham Hotspur player put Egypt ahead in the 18th minute before Mohamed Aboutrika added a second goal in the Group A match with a superb free kick.
Ahmed Hassan scored the third in the 78th minute from a rebound after a Mido penalty was saved.
Despite the importance of the match, the stadium was only around three-quarters full with swathes of empty seats behind one of the goals.
