JEDDAH, 20 April 2008 — Al-Hazem, the revelation this season in the Saudi league, sustained their fine showing when they stunned Al-Nasr 3-2 in the first-leg clash of the King’s Cup for Champions soccer competition at the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium in Riyadh. Al-Hazem’s fine display silenced the goodly Nasr fans, who were hoping for a winning start in the event thus sparking another run for their second trophy this season.
In the other match, also in Riyadh, at the King Fahd International Stadium, Al-Hilal and the Makkah-based team Al-Wehda drew 0-0. The draw must have been an anti-climax for Hilal fans, whose appetite for wins had been whetted by their team’s recent run of successes. Now they will have to raise their game to a different level if they hope to advance in the tourney with Wehda hosting the Riyadh-based team on their home turf on Thursday (April 24).
Nasr entered the match with a positive approach, knowing that a win would ease the pressure of playing in Al-Rass in the return leg. But luck was not on Nasr’s side and they ended up a goal down while also allowing three away goals. Now they face a difficult mission in the second leg when they need to rack up the numbers on Friday (April 25).
Al-Hazem struck in the 24th minute though Safwan Al-Muwallad and then three minutes later Fahd Al-Rashidi scored the second goal for Al-Hazem following a defensive lapse. Nasr pulled one back in the 45th minute and switched ends 1-2 down.
Nasr got the equalizer in the 83rd minute through Saad Al-Harthi, who converted a controversial penalty. Then Saber Hussein slammed the winner in the 89th minute.
