JEDDAH, 13 April 2008 — All eyes will be on the keenly awaited Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal clash of the Saudi Super League at the Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here with either of the two teams hoping to walk away with the title today. The match will decide whether Jeddah will celebrate Al-Ittihad’s eighth title in the league since 1977, or will Riyadh mark Al-Hilal’s 11th league title.
Al-Ittihad, which enjoys a home advantage, holds a slight edge as it goes into this intriguing match — both teams having played 21 games with Al-Ittihad collecting 48 points and Al-Hilal 45 points. However, Al-Hilal comes into the game with recent match experience and, after their tough encounters, will be battle-ready for the match.
Though tactics and control will play a big part in the proceedings, the raucous fans — expected to make a beeline to the stadium to cheer on the defending champions Ittihad — will provide a comfort zone to the Jeddah outfit. Also Ittihad just needs a draw in today’s tie to emerge as champions, while Hilal must win today to draw level on 48 points each.
It is here that the math enters the equation. Under this season’s new rules, it will be the results of head to head matches that will be the deciding factor in who is crowned as league champions, instead of the previous system of calibrating goal difference. It is here that Hilal enjoys the edge, as the first away match between them ended 0-0, and if Hilal beat Ittihad then they will win the cup by virtue of this victory.
After Hilal lost the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup last week to Nasr, fans expect Hilal to do better in one of the most prestigious of the four events in Saudi Arabia. The team has already won the Crown Prince Cup. Once the league ends, the best eight teams will compete in the new Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s Cup.
With the stadium already a sellout, football fans have made plans to see the match in the domain of their choice. They have already booked at various restaurants in Tahlia Street and Andalus Street to watch the game with friends and families.
Ironically it was the Ittihad-Hilal goalless encounter that gave a new lease of life to Hilal’s late charge in the league. And today it could either founder against the same team or a simple victory could enable them to savor success again this season.
Al-Ittihad also announced yesterday that they renewed the Saud Kariri’s contract for an additional five years. Kariri will join his teammates Ibrahim Al-Suwaid, Manaf Abu Shgair, Ahmed Al-Doukhi, Hamad Al-Muntashiri, Rida Tukkar, Adnan Fallatah, Mohammed Nur, Chico, Abdullah Haidar, Al-Hassan Keta, Elvis, Abdulrhman Al-Qahtani, Talal Al-Mishal and goalkeeper Tayseer Al-Nateif in the game with no extra baggage.
Al-Hilal meanwhile will field Abdullah Al-Zouri, Abdulaziz Al-Dossari, Ahmed Al-Fareidi, Abdulaziz Al-Kaltham, Sultan Al-Saud, Bader Al-Kharashi, Tariq Al-Taib, Yasser Al-Qahtani, Nawaf Al-Timya Omar Al-Ghamdi, Lilio, Tafarees, Aziz Al-Khathran, Al-Angari, and goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Daiya.
Rafae Back in Action
Bader Rafae, who had resigned after being beaten by security personnel at the King Fahd Stadium, will resume work as ART Sports Channel reporter and will be covering the Saudi League match between Ittihad and Hilal.
Rafae reconsidered his resignation after support from the local media and football fans. The incident occurred immediately after Nasr’s win over Hilal in the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup final match on Wednesday April 2 in Riyadh.
