JEDDAH: For Jeddah football lovers nothing beats an Ahli-Ittihad match to enjoy on a Friday when there’s no need to rush home and curse Jeddah’s famous traffic.
Today the city’s top clubs renew their long-running rivalry when they face off in a derby match in the advanced eighth round of the Saudi Professional League at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.
All three matches today are being played in advance because of prior commitments of the teams involved.
A mere three points is on the line but expect fireworks in the evening tussle as Ahli and Ittihad both play with a take no prisoners mindset.
No team has so far beaten the league-leading Ittihad and Ahli wants to be the first one to saddle Ittihad with its first loss, an added motivation indeed.
For Ittihad victory would be most welcome though a draw is not a bad option for it still keeps the squad well ahead of the chasing pack. Ahli’s Bulgarian coach Stoycho Mladenov ordered a closed-door training for his team in a bid to keep everyone guessing about his gameplan against Ittihad. Mladenov’s main concern is finding a good substitute for star striker Malek Muaz, who was ruled out of the match due to injury.
Arab News sources say Mladenov would use the same play patterns he employed in a round five match which ended 0-0 against Al-Hilal in Riyadh, meaning Hasan Al-Raheb will be in the striking line along with the Nigerian Guden with Badr Al-Kharashi reserved for the second half.
Ittihad’s Argentinian coach, Gabriel Calderón, had the last training session restricted to fans who presence puts undue pressure on the players.
Ittihad team captain Muhammad Nur told Arab News that the three points against Ahli are very important to ensure that Ittihad will remain on top of the team standings.
Osama Al-Muwallad, Ittihad defender, said the match would be a very difficult one, while goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid said that Ittihad would win the match with all due respect to the Ahli team.
He said, “Those following the Ittihad team will notice that the team is different from last year. We are more united this year and our performance is improving game after game. The Muaz factor won’t impact much on both Ahli and Ittihad because I am sure they have the perfect player to fill his absence.”
“I wish I can join my teammates in this very important match. The team doctor advised me to rest for 10 days at least for the injury to heal,” said Muaz.
Abdul Aziz Al-Angari, Ahli club president, said the match is one of the biggest derby matches in the Saudi league.
“Despite the fact that this is very strong match between the two teams in the end it is only worth three points. I am urging Ahli fans to be there to support the team.”
Ittihad has 13 points from four wins and one draw and no loss. Ahli is sixth with eight points from two wins, two draws and one loss.
Najran and Al-Hazem play in Najran in a match that was advanced for the 10th round. Wehda hosts Al-Raid in Makkah another advanced 10th round match.
