JEDDAH: Barring a major disaster Al-Shabab and Al-Ittihad are set for a final showdown when they face Al-Hilal and Al-Hazem today in a pair of semifinal second leg matches in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup of Champions football tournament.
Shabab takes an imposing 3-0 lead to the match at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
With Hilal’s task made more difficult by the suspension of star striker Yaser Al-Qahtani who was red carded during the first leg match Shabab is a wise money bet to go through to the final.
Ittihad, with a two goals to none lead, is likewise the favorite to nail the other final berth during its away match in Al-Rass.
Should Shabab lose by 2-0 in a worse case scenario it would still qualify for the second time in the competition, while Hilal needs a minor miracle if it is to overturn a three-goal deficit.
Ittihad has three options under which to qualify: win at any result, draw or lose by 1-0.
Ittihad though is expected not to take chances with Muhammad Nur likely to be sidelined due to injury.
The tournament is the last major championship of the Saudi football season featuring the top eight teams from the Saudi Professional League which Ittihad won over Hilal.
