JEDDAH, 7 March 2008 — The stage is set for the big night today at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh with Al-Ittifaq going into the final against Al-Hilal with a slight edge.
With both the teams boasting a strong attacking lineup, the Dammam-based Ittifaq team has a better backline to that of the Riyadh-based Hilal and that could be the key.
On behalf of Crown Prince Sultan, Prince Salman, Riyadh governor, will attend the match and present the trophy to the winner.
With Yasser Al-Qahtani marshalling the Hilal attack and Saleh Basheer leading the Ittifaq strikeforce, a fast-paced encounter is expected. The fact that the Ittifaq attack has been able to come up with some fine efforts in times of adversity too could prove pivotal.
Al-Qahtani urged Hilal fans to fill the stadium in order to give the team a veritable ‘home’ advantage. He promised Hilal fans that the Cup would not leave the capital.
This confidence stems from the fact that Hilal managed to defeat Al-Shabab in the semifinals despite injuries depleting the Hilal ranks. “I am confident that Hilal will secure the title. Ittifaq is a strong team. The match is not going to be easy for us. We will play as a team and with the support of Hilal fans, I am sure that we will win the title.”
Prince Tago, Ittifaq striker, too exuded optimism that the Cup will adorn the Dammam team showcase. “If Hilal is a strong team, then Ittifaq too is a strong team,” said Tago, adding, “They have strong players and we have to respect them. They play unified football and that is the source of their strength. We will work closely on isolating their lines and closely monitoring Al-Qahtani. I know that Al-Daie (goalkeeper Mohammad Al-Daie) makes mistakes sometimes in collection. When he makes one then he will see me in front of him.”
Al-Ittihad are the winningest team in this championship with seven titles they won in 1958, 1959, 1963, 1991, 1997, 2001 and 2004. Hilal are second with six titles (1964, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006). Defending champions Al-Ahli are third with five championships (1957, 1970, 1998, 2002 and 2007), and Shabab fourth with three (1993, 1996 and 1999). Al-Nasr won the competition twice in 1973 and 1974. Al-Riyadh club triumphed in 1994, Al-Qadisiya in 1992, Ittifaq in 1965 and Al-Wehda in 1960.
Hilal’s trip to the final started with a win in a strong derby match against Nasr. Hilal managed to secure a 2-0 victory and advance to the quarterfinals against Al-Hazem of Al-Rass.
Hilal’s advance nearly ended there but they managed to secure a 2-1 win over Al-Hazem, all due to the late goal by Al-Qahtani. Hilal and Shabab’s semifinal showdown saw Hilal sealing their place in the second leg with a 1-0 verdict. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw.
Ittifaq’s run to the final was a bit easy. They faced second division team Al-Rabeea in Dammam first and racked up a 5-0 victory. Ittifaq then faced Ittihad in Jeddah in the quarterfinals, and they advanced with a last-gasp winner in the 2-1 score.
Ittifaq then took on the defending champions Ahli in the two-legged semifinals. After the teams were deadlocked 2-2 at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Ittifaq put an end to Ahli’s hopes at Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Stadium in Dammam with a 2-1 verdict in the second leg match.
