JEDDAH, 7 January 2007 — Jeddah-based club Al-Ahli face El-Zamalek of Egypt in Egypt in their last match of the first leg Group A quarterfinal in the Arab Champions League competition today.
Ahli are in second place with three points following a 6-0 blowout of Al-Qadisiya of Kuwait in Jeddah on Dec. 11 and a defeat against CA Bordj Bou Arreridj 1-0 in Algeria on Dec. 19.
El-Zamalek are at the bottom of the group after a 2-2 draw against CA Bordj Bou Arreridj in Egypt and a 2-1 defeat against Qadisiya in Kuwait. The match is crucial for Ahli because the team want to secure the game three points and strengthen their position in second place before the end of the first round. Any draw or defeat in today’s match will put Ahli in difficult situation for the second round.
The coach of Ahli is expected to play attacking game from the very first minute of the match to gain the upper hand in scoring early. The coach relied on the one-touch play and tactics during the last team training in Cairo. Ahli club players promised the coach and fans back home they will try to live up to the expectations and to make up for the last match defeat against the Algerian team.
Hussein Abdul Ghani, the skipper of Ahli club, has been ruled out for today’s match due to the national team duties in preparation for the 18th Gulf Cup to be held in the UAE later this month.
Al-Zamalek are also in hot water due to their poor performance in the Egyptian soccer league. They are third in the rankings with 30 points. El Zamalek lost their derby match against Ahli of Egypt 2-1 and drew goalless against Ghazl El Mahallah.
The below par display of El Zamalek could be advantageous for Ahli in their bid to take their share of points from the Egyptian team and advance to the next round of the competition.
