JEDDAH, 6 February 2004 — Saudi Premier League clubs Al-Ittihad of Jeddah and Al-Hilal of Riyadh registered solitary goal victories in Arab Champions League away matches yesterday.
Saudi League leaders Ittihad got the measure of Kuwait in Kuwait City 1-0 with a 65th minute strike from Brazilian Semba in a match which they largely dominated.
Hilal too controlled the proceedings against Al-Wehdat of Jordan and after a goalless first period secured their match-winner in the 50th minute with Saleh Al-Dossary hitting true.
UEFA Dismiss Security Fears Over Istanbul Final
In Nyon,, Switzerland, Newly-installed UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson swept aside all security fears yesterday when he confirmed that the 2005 Champions League final is to be held in Istanbul. Reuters adds.
It is the first time that a major European soccer final has been scheduled to take place in Turkey.
UEFA also announced the 2005 UEFA Cup final would be held in Lisbon and that the Meridian Cup, played between eight Under-17 national teams from Europe and Africa, would also be staged in Turkey in 2005.
Speaking shortly after UEFA’s executive committee met and awarded the Champions League showpiece event to the 80,000 Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Olsson said he was satisfied by the security guarantees given by the Turks. These might be tested to the limit if, for example two English clubs reached the final there, or an English and a German club qualified for the occasion.
