JEDDAH, 16 March 2007 — Al-Ahli secured three vital points with a 1-0 victory against Al-Qadisiya in round 18 of the Saudi Football League matches in Dammam yesterday.
Ahli entered the match under pressure to get the win points knowing that with only few rounds left in the Saudi league they could not afford to not get a point.
With the win Ahli stayed on course for a spot in the final four that will determine the finalists to contest the King’s trophy. They now have 25 points.
Qadisiya, on the other hand, were trying fight relegation. Qadisiya are dangerously in the 11th position with 14 points and if they don’t improve the first division league would be their destination next season .
Qadesiya looked the more aggressive side and on many occasions came close to scoring a goal. Ahli played defensive football and relied on fast counter attacks.
In the second half the situation changed and Ahli introduced Kaio who boosted the front line and organized dangerous attacks.
The only goal of the match came in the 77th minute from a nice shot by Abdul Elah Hawsawi. His shot went on the right hand side of the goalie. After the goal, Ahli drew back using fast counter attacks while Qadisiya pushed forward keenly in search of the equalizer that never came.
Al-Hilal were supposed to play yesterday but their match was put off.
Today, Al-Ittihad host Wehda at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here in a potentially explosive match. Ittihad are looking forward to increase their points and move up in the standings where Wehda will try to temporary take first place. Wehda are second with 39 points and officially in the final four. Ittihad are fourth with 29 points from 15 matches. The other match pits Al-Faisali against host Al-Khaleej in a battle of tailenders.
In the concluding second leg quarterfinal match in the Arab Champions League, ES Setfi drew with Al-Faisali 0-0 in Algeria yesterday and dashed the semifinal qualifying hopes of Al-Nasr, who scored a 2-0 against Kuwait of Kuwait on Tuesday.
The draw left ES Setif first of Group B on 11 points and Al-Faisali second on 10. Nasr fell short on 9 points. In the semifinal it will be Group A No. 1 Zamalek against Faisali and Group A No. 2 Al-Ahli against Setif.
