JEDDAH, 18 July 2003 — Al-Ittifaq of Saudi Arabia defeated Enbi of Egypt 2-0 to top Group One of the Arab League Soccer Championships and clinch a semifinal spot in Cairo yesterday.
They now play another Egyptian club Al-Zamalek, who finished second to Al-Kuwait club in Group Two. Al-Kuwait will take on Al-Rajaa of Morocco in the second semifinal.
Ittifaq of Dammam had needed a draw in the final group encounter with Enbi, but finished the group matches with a flourish. They had earlier beaten Al-Rifaa of Bahrain 2-0, Al-Rajaa 2-0 and drawn their first match against Al-Faysali of Jordan 4-4.
Al-Rajaa too made sure that they would make the last four stage when they defeated a gritty Al-Rifaa side 4-3 in a rip-roaring match. The victory coupled with their 1-1 draw with Enbi and 1-0 victory over Al-Faysali gave them enough points to grab the second slot from the group. Their lone loss came against Ittifaq.
Al-Kuwait too began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Al-Shurta of Iraq, but then got into their winning stride — 3-1 verdicts against Al-Jaish of Syria and Zamalek. They dropped a point to Ittihad Al-Asema of Algeria in their 1-1 draw.
Zamalek finished second following their 1-0 victory over Al-Jaish, a 1-1 draw with Ittihad Al-Asema, and a 2-1 win over Al-Shurta. The semifinals will be played today. The final will be held at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
