Ahli, Nasr Gear Up for Crucial Tie in Saudi Football League

JEDDAH, 24 January 2008 — The 17th round of the Saudi football league continues today with five matches.

The most important match is between Ahli and Nasr at Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.

Ahli enter the match after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hand of Al-Ittihad on Friday. Ahli lost three important points against Ittihad that could have been added to the basket and advanced Ahli to upper positions.

Ahli are currently in sixth position with 22 points. Nasr are seeking the game three points in order to compete for the first position. Nasr know that the task is not easy considering that the team they are going to face today are seeking retribution for the 3-0 results in the first-leg match of the league. Nasr are currently fourth with 25 points and three more points will strengthen their position in the fourth position.

Al-Shabab will face Al-Qadisiya in an easy match in Riyadh.

Shabab are third with 29 points and Qadisiya at bottom having five points only. Shabab lost 2 crucial points against Najran after they drew 2-2, giving Hilal the upper hand that advanced to the second position while Shabab dropped to third position. Shabab will try to make up for the loss and compete again for the front position.

Al-Ittifaq will meet Al-Hazem in Dammam. Ittifaq are climbing fast up the ladder and currently are fifth with 24 points. Three more points for Ittifaq can put the team to the fourth position. Ittifaq have great advantage with three pending matches. Al-Hazem are in eighth position with 19 points.

Al-Taie will host the top leading team Ittihad in a very important match who will seek no other result other than winning the match. Three more points will strengthen Ittihad position on the top, while Taie are looking for three more points to escape from the bottom of the list. Taie are dangerously located eleventh with 7 points. The middle ranked teams of Al-Wehda and Al-Watani will come face to face in a fifth match of the round in Tabuk. Wehda are located seventh with 19 points and Al-Watani are ninth with 18 points.