JEDDAH, 2 June 2007 — Al-Ittihad made up for the heartbreak of twin losses in finals this season to Al-Ahli with a display that was full of heart in the King’s Cup final at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh yesterday. Down by a first-half stunner, the Ittihadis made most of the running in the second to first pull back the deficit and then smash the winner in injury time (94th minute) to leave the Hilalis and their fans deflated and dejected.
With their 2-1 success they also kept up an Ittihad fan’s optimistic evaluation that Ittihad have always done well at King Fahd International Stadium. He had told Arab News that this fact itself should make Hilal beware. “I don’t know why Hilal thinks that Ittihad will lose in Riyadh? Our past records should make them wary.” And yesterday his assertion rang true with the stadium still remaining a favorite hunting ground for the Ittihad club and any final at this stadium in which they have contested has ended in their favor.
Ittihad fans, after the twin disappointments, made a beeline for Riyadh to attend the final. And the belief in their team was unshaken as the Jeddah Tigers awoke to a courageous display to bring back the smile on their faces. Ittihad fans left early for Riyadh by buses and airplanes to attend the match and they too had a part in the stupendous success as they lustily cheered Ittihad throughout the match, even when the chips were down. And they and all who witnessed the match will remember it for a very long time. Two stunning goals, rip-roaring action and some splendid plays all added up to make the final momentous.
The victory was all the more sweet for Ittihad, for not only did they secure the prestigious King’s Cup, but they also avenged the two defeats suffered at the hands of Hilal during the early part of the tournament. On both occasions they lost 2-1.
It was also a match of coaches — Marcos Paqueta of Hilal, who secured all the season titles for Hilal two years ago, and Dimitri Davidovic of Ittihad, who helped his team secure all the titles in 1997 and in 1999 — and their contrasting styles. Paqueta’s swarming tactics came up against the slow buildups and passes of Dimitri and foundered yesterday.
Hilal launched early attacks in a bid to rack up the numbers and in less than five minutes, Hilal won two corner kicks and was taking control of the midfield. Ittihad goalkeeper Tayseer Al-Nteef faced the real test in the 15th minute when Yaser Al-Qahtani worked his way inside the penalty box and gave a nice back pass to Abdul Aziz Al-Khathran with Tayseer only to beat. But Al-Khathran shot the ball recklessly over the top.
Hilal continued to pressurize Ittihad, who were slowly getting into their strides. Just when they were moving well into Hilal territory, they were stunned by a superb goal. In the 25th minute Hilal were put ahead by Omar Al-Ghamdi. Tareq Al-Tayeb relayed a nice pass to Al-Ghamdi, who was given space by some loose defending just outside the box. Al-Ghamdi blasted a sizzler through a corridor toward the near upright as the Ittihad defenders watched in disbelief the ball sailing over an outstretched Tayseer and lodging itself into the net. Tayseer too was at fault for being well up. This ignited the stadium and also sparked a frenzy of attacks on the field. It was Ittihad who were on the ascendancy.
Star striker Muhammad Nur came close in the 33rd minute when his header off a free kick went dangerously over the bar. In the 45th minute, Nur’s defense splitting pass, again following a set piece strike, went abegging.
In the second half, Dimitri made a change that brought about the change in Ittihad’s fortunes. Experienced Hamza Idrees was sent in to activate the striking line and his role as a warhead proved explosive. Ittihad were better organized in the half and took control over the midfield and forced Hilal to rely on fast counters. In the 54th minute, a nice pass was flubbed by Hassan Keta and Brazilian Wagnar with both hesitating thinking the other was on it allowing the danger to be cleared by Hilal defenders. Nur, two minutes later, put Saud Kariri in with a chance to score as he put him clear inside the box with a crisp pass. But Kariri delayed and was swarmed out by Hilal defenders.
In the 70th minute, Hilal received a hard hit with Al-Qahtani exiting the match with a back injury and this weakened Hilal and allowed Ittihad total control over the match. Ittihad patiently wore down Hilal with some incisive passing and sustained pressure. Ittihad equalized in the 75th minute when Saleh Al-Sagri’s cross inside the box was missed by Idrees, who tried to redirect the ball goalward. The ball sailed over Idrees and the clutch of defenders to an unguarded Osama Al-Muwallad, whose volley from a narrow angle whizzed past Hilal goalkeeper Muhammad Al-Daeya like a bullet.
Ittihad, back in the match, continued to string waves of attack after the equalizer and the sudden switch in the mode and direction of the attacks left Hilal defenders totally disorganized and disoriented.
The tempo of the game picked up as the final whistle neared, and Ittihad saw to it that the match did not go into extra time when they nailed Hilal in the fourth minute of the added time. Keta gave a nice high cross inside the penalty box and defender Hamad Al-Muntasheri rose above a line of defenders to head the ball home. In the end, Hilal defense’s poor marking and poor anticipation of the aerial mode of play was completely capitalized by Dimitri and his boys.
Crown Prince Sultan awarded Ittihad the gold medals and the trophy while the 2007 season will be known as the worst season for Hilal.
Prince Muhammad ibn Faisal said after the match that he will step down as Hilal president. Mansour Al-Balawi, Ittihad president, congratulated Ittihad players and fans and said, “It is a time for celebration.”
