JEDDAH, 29 March 2006 — Al-Shabab have officially topped the Saudi Soccer League with 45 points to go through as the waiting No. 1 team in this year’s final.
Under the Golden Four stepladder final, the fourth and third qualifiers knock each other out for the right to meet the second-ranked team with the winner in this match to face Shabab in the title game.
Shabab needed only a draw against Wehda from Makkah on Monday to collect that unassailable point total at the top of the standings.
In other matches on Monday, second place holders Al-Hilal lost surprisingly to Al-Qadisiya 0-1 when their opponents managed to score in the 38th minute, while Al-Ittihad and Al-Nasr drew 1-1.
Ittihad missed a chance to better their position to second place after Nasr denied them three win points when striker Asamwa scored the equalizer in the last five minuts.
Still, the competition for second place heats up between rivals Hilal and Ittihad. Hilal are currently in second with 41 points only two points ahead of third-ranked Ittihad from Jeddah.
It is still unclear who between them will clinch second place and wait for the winner of the match between third- and fourth-placed teams. Ittihad have a somewhat easy match with second to the last team Abha while Hilal have to deal with league leaders Shabab.
In Monday’s matches Hilal and Ittihad both were deprived of key players called for national team duties.
Ittihad need to win at least by 3-0 to assure themselves of the second position on the condition that Hilal either draw or lose their upcoming match.
