JEDDAH, 19 March 2006 — Soccer powerhouses Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ittihad have qualified for the best-of-four stage competition for the Saudi Soccer League trophy after outmaneuvering their rivals.
Fourth ranked Al-Ahli is top favorite to qualify and need only one point from two matches.
The round 21 of the league witnessed a big match between Hilal and Ittihad in Riyadh, which was won by Ittihad 1-0.
It was a surprise gift for Shahab, who stayed at first place with 44 points. Shabab almost lost the lead after going down 2-1 against Al-Nasr in their Thursday’s match.
Hilal failed to capitalize on this and crashed to Ittihad in a tie in Riyadh. Ittihad, with 37 points in 3rd place, reduced the gap with Hilal to four points and has good chance to climb to second place if Hilal lose their remaining two matches against Al-Qadisiya and Shabab.
Ittihad have to play their three remaining matches against Al-Abha, Ahli and Nasr.
Ittihad’s chance to going second hinges on them collecting nine points by winning all their matches, and if Hilal lose one and draw the other.
Shabab, on the other hand, have two more matches against Al-Wehda and Hilal.
If Shabab win against Wehda and lose against Hilal, that will not make any difference, as both Hilal and Shabab will finish on equal points. But Shabab, on better goal difference with 46 to 40 for Hilal, will finish on top.
Ahli, at fourth place with 32 points, will face Ittihad next Thursday and then play against Al-Ansar on April 1. They need one point to qualify and in the process can shatter Ittifaq’s dreams.
Fifth-placed Ittifaq have 30 points. It has one more match against Wehda. Ittifaq can increase their points to 33 if they beat Wehda.
But Ahli, also in the queue, can increase points tally to 33 if they are able to secure one point from their two remaining matches. Ahli have better goal difference with 40 to 28 for Ittifaq.
Ittifaq’s only hope is that Ahli lose both their matches and they win against Wehda, which is a distant hope as Ahli have an easy match against Ansar in Jeddah in front of Ahli’s home crowd. In contrast, Ansar players will have no motivation to win the game as the team have already been relegated to the first division.
Abha also waved goodbye to the Premier Division on Friday after losing 7-1 to Ahli in Jeddah.
Ansar also crashed to Ittihad 5-2 in their match on Monday. Both teams have been relegated to first division. Al-Taie, Al-Wehda, Al-Qadiseya, Hazem and Nasr will take part in next season.
