JEDDAH, 25 December 2002 — Saudi Arabia steamrollered into the semifinal of the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Tournament for the Arab Cup with a 3-0 rout of Syria in Kuwait yesterday. After taking a 1-0 advantage in the first half, Saudi Arabia struck two more late in the second to romp to victory.
Rida Takar scored the first goal in the 32nd minute after a period of sustained domination, and then Saud Kariri, in the 71st minute, and Talal Al-Mishaal in injury time, rounded off the tally. With nine points, the Kingdom became the second team to qualify for the semifinal. Jordan had earlier made the grade.
Kingdom’s coordinated play and variation in attack tilted the balance after the two teams had fought out an early battle for midfield superiority.
Syria, with six points, now have to wait for the result of the Bahrain-Lebanon match to see if they can squeeze into the last four stage. Bahrain have to lose to Lebanon in order for Syria to advance.
In the second match of the day, Lebanon defeated Yemen 4-2. Rida Antar performed a hat trick with goals in 12th, 52nd and 60th minutes while Lebanese captain Moussa Hajij scored the fourth goal in the 62nd minute. For Yemen Jamal Al-Qadimi and Ali Aboud scored in the 24th and 71st minutes.
In the next matches, Morocco play against Sudan and Kuwait will face Palestine. Morocco have a better chance to qualify for the semifinal round as they already have five points.
