JEDDAH, 12 May 2005 — Al-Ahli hammered out an emphatic 5-1 victory over Al-Zawraa of Iraq yesterday and booked a spot in the quarterfinals in the Asian Champions League.
Ahli did not disappoint their throng of fans who filled every nook and cranny of the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here getting the full three points that took their tally to 12 points from five matches in Group D.
Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, Ahli’s rival for a round of eight berth in the group, were left to rue their slow start despite scoring a 4-1 win at home to Al Jaish yesterday to be on 9 points from five matches.
Al-Shabab, the other Saudi club in action yesterday, saw qualifying hopes evaporate after taking a 1-0 defeat away to Sepahan of Iran.
The Brazilian trio of Flavio, Rogerio and Olivera did the spadework for Ahli by scoring four goals, while Fahd Al Zahrani added one.
Flavio opened the scoring with a goal in the 10th minute. Zahrani scored in the 18th, Rogerio in the 32nd and Olivero in the 70th and 90th minutes. The lone Al-Zawraa goal was scored by Alaa Koshon in the 45th minute.
