JEDDAH, 23 March 2006 — Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia kept alive their hopes as they claimed crucial wins in the AFC Champions League last night.
In Lebanon, Shabab, sustaining their march, beat Al Quwa Al Jawiya of Iraq 2-0. African import Atram netted in the 36th and 44th and gave Shabab an unassailable lead over their Iraqi opponents. Shabab are now equal with Al-Saad of Qatar in Group D as both teams have four points but Shabab are in second place on goal difference.
In another match in Group B at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Hilal outplayed Al-Minaa of Iraq 3-1 in front of a boisterous crowd. It was an important victory for Hilal. Tafarees opened the account for Hial in the 30th minute, but their joy was short-lived as Muneer Mahmoud got the equalizer in the 46th minute. Muhammad Al-Anbar put Hilal ahead by striking the second in the 60th minute while Yasir Al-Qahtani netted the third goal in the 90th minute to seal the win.
Hilal are third in Group B with three points while Al Ain of UAE and Mashal of Uzbekistan are leading with four points. Al Ain are on top on better goal difference.
