JEDDAH, 8 January 2007 — The Jeddah-based club Al-Ahli failed to make good on their promise to win the game three points in the last first leg quarterfinal match of Group A against El Zamalek of Egypt after losing the match 1-0 in Egypt in the Arab Champions League competition.

El Zamalek were a totally different team from the one that had an up and down performance, banking on an early goal by Mustapha Jafar to wrap up the mach.

Ahli were better organized and more dangerous for the most part of the contest with El Zamalek relying on fast counter attacks and playing defensive soccer. Despite that, Ahli came real close on many occasions to score many goals courtesy of striker Malek Muaz and Haykal Gamamgeya.

Ahli thus ended the first half of the round on three points from one win and two losses to be in the third position.

The second leg of the round will start tomorrow with two important matches taking place. An a Group A match in Kuwait, Al-Qadisiya host the Algerian team CA Bordj Bou Arreridj. Currently Qadisiya are in the bottom of the list with three points from 2-1 win against El Zamalek and a huge defeat against Ahli 6-0. CA Bordj Bou Arreridj are in first position with four points from one draw against El Zamalek 2-2 and one win against Ahli 1-0. Both teams are seeking the game three points. It is to Ahli’s advantage if the Kuwaiti team lose the match and stay in third place. If the Kuwaiti team win they would jump to first position and Ahli would drop to the bottom of the standings. A draw in any score in this match would also send Ahli down to the bottom with mere three points.

In a Group B match, Al-Faisali of Jordan host ES Setif of Algeria as both teams dispute the lead in a very tough match. Al-Faisali are in first place with six points from two wins against Kuwait of Kuwait 1-0 and against Al-Nasr of Saudi 1-0 in Jordan. ES Setif are second with four points from two matches, a win against Nasr 2-1 and a draw against Kuwait 0-0. After tomorrow’s matches, the competition takes a breather for little over a month and resumes on Feb. 13.