JEDDAH, 2 August 2003 — Asir began their campaign in the Seventh Sadaka Soccer Tournament here with a surprise 1-0 victory over fancied Al-Ahli, the defending champions, here yesterday.
Later, the Syrian Olympic team got the better of the Moroccan Olympic team by a solitary goal.
The game started with Al-Ahli attacking and looked to be in a hurry to rack up the numbers. Asir, however, showed some exceptional defense and relied on fast counterattacks to apply some pressure on Ahli.
And in one such raid, in the 22nd minute, the only goal of the game was recorded. Asir left wing cut into the penalty box after a splendid run down the flank, and was hacked down by a tough Ahli tackle and the referee ordered a penalty kick.
Muhammad Abu Arad succeeded in scoring cleanly from the spot what proved to be the only goal in the game.
Ahli, stung by the reverse, quickly tried to put things right but could not break Asir’s defense on the day.
Throughout the remaining first period and the second half they went in search of an equalizer, but Asir succeeded in holding up against a vaunted attack. Ahli did have the opportunities, but the inexperience of the young players participating in the tournament showed.
Today, the Iraqi and Saudi Olympic team will meet in the first game. In the second game the Senegal Olympic team and Fajer Al-Shaheed of Iran will meet.
