JEDDAH, 4 June 2006 — Two-time defending champions Al-Ittihad begin the defense of their AFC Champions League title in August against Al-Karama of Syria.
Ittihad will host the Syrian club in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie on Aug. 20. in Jeddah.
The 2004 and 2005 champions will be up against a new young Syrian team eager to make history by qualifying to the semifinals.
Ittihad will pay the away match on Aug. 27.
The other Saudi club in the round of eight, Al-Shabab of Riyadh, will be away to Ulsan of South Korea in the first leg match on Aug. 20. The second leg match will take place on Aug. 27.
Ittihad Club President Mansour Al-Balawi said that Ittihad would be ready to face any team. He said that Arab-Arab matches are special and Ittihad team have always proven to have the upper hand in these matches. He said, “the road to the final and trophy is not an easy task. The team will be ready before the match on the 20th of August.”
