JEDDAH, 8 September 2005 — Riyadh-based teams Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal qualified for the semifinals along with Jeddah’s Al-Ahli and Abha in the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup soccer tournament.
The semifinals will be played tomorrow with Hilal hosting Abha and Ahli at home to Shabab. The winners move on to the final to be played next Friday.
Hilal qualified on top of Group A with 11 points despite losing the final match of the group against Al-Nasr 1-0.
The loss had no bearing on Hilal as the next team Nasr were two points adrift on 9 points. Abha qualified from Group C.
Easily the surprise package of the tournament Abha secured a huge win against Al-Ittifaq 5-1 in the final match of the group.
Ittifaq needed a win or draw to qualify first while Abha’s only chance was to win which the squad did.
The win gave newcomers Abha an unassailable 11 points, while Ittifaq had 10.
Ahli were undefeated to top Group B with 16 points.
Shabab made the grade as the best second placed team with 10 points.
