SUWON, South Korea, 5 August — A late equalizer by Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab striker Omar Hassi has made it difficult for Suwon Bluewings of South Korea to add the Asian Super Cup to their haul of trophies as Al Shabab gained a 2-2 draw in the first leg of final yesterday.
Hassi scored with a free-kick three minutes from time to pull the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup holders level ahead of the second leg at home to the Asian champions in Jeddah next Friday.The Saudi side, which defeated Dalian Shide of China in the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup in May, took the lead through Abdullah Sheehan in the 15th minute.
Suwon’s Russian striker Denis Laktionov equalized 12 minutes later and, 12 minutes after the restart, Sandro Cardoso put Kim Ho’s side into the lead. The Brazilian, who hit the only goal of the game when Suwon defeated Jubilo Iwata of Japan in the final of the Asian Club Championship, looked to have given the Korean league leaders a vital one-goal advantage. But Hassi’s curling free-kick put Al Shabab in control of the tie.
The fine performance of the Shabab players was a result of their three-week camp training held in Malaysia under their new coach. In Malaysia they had defeated the hosts national side, 2-1.
