JEDDAH, 16 September 2003 — Champions Al-Ittihad remained the only team to record four straight victories in their first four matches when they routed Al-Shoala 3-1 at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here on a day of surprises.
The surprise result came in Riyadh when promoted side Al-Khaleej drubbed Al-Shabab 4-1, despite the latter enjoying home advantage.
The third match saw Al-Riyadh too causing a flutter when they beat third-placed Al-Ittifaq 1-0. The result did not affect Ittifaq’s standing, but it did help Riyadh climb to mid-table.
A superb brace by goal-scoring machine Muhammad Nur helped Ittihad surge past Shoala. The victory gave them 12 points from four matches and also saw them pulling away from the pack.
Nur’s goals came in the 15th and the 25th minute of the game and from then on it was Ittihad all the way. Though Shoala managed to pull one back in the 70th minute through Fahd Al-Yahya, Ittihad restored their two-goal edge in the 80th minute through Jermey.
Hilal meet Wehda in Makkah on Thursday, while Ahli entertain Al-Qadisiya in Jeddah.
