JEDDAH, 2 March 2008 — Al-Hilal rode the first-half goal in the Riyadh derby against Al-Shabab to enter the final of the Saudi Crown Prince Cup soccer competition following a 1-0 win in the second leg match at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh yesterday. The teams had played out a goalless draw in the first leg and the lone second-leg strike was enough for Hilal to seal their berth in the final.
The only goal of the match was scored in the 40th minute when Shabab’s Faisal Al-Obaili gifted the match away with an own goal when he managed only to deflect a cross to the back of his net.
Hilal came to the match facing a tough challenge against a well-determined Shabab team. In addition they were already without striker Yasser Al-Qahtani and star midfielder Tariq Al-Tayeb.
Nevertheless Hilal managed to match Shabab in the midfield with some fine incisive plays, and were robust in defense. Shabab tried hard throughout the match to score the equalizer but the all-important goal eluded them. Shabab managed to pin Hilal to their half of the field for the majority of the second session but could not translate their superiority into goals. Hilal, while soaking up the pressure, relied on fast counter attacks to hold Shabab off. Shabab striker Naji Majrashi failed to convert truly the many chances that came his way, and his woeful marksmanship summed up Shabab’s day. Hilal is seeking the seventh title in the championship.
Today, the other team that will face Hilal in the final will be determined with Al-Ahli taking on Al-Ittifaq in the second leg match. The first leg match between the two teams ended 2-2 at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah last week.
Ahli, the defending champions and five times winners of this competition, is hoping to secure their sixth title. Ahli enters the tie with Malek Muaz back in the striking line up. Ittifaq’s forward line too will be bolstered by Saleh Basher, who scored a goal in the last match. Ittifaq won the competition in 1965.
