JEDDAH, 20 September 2006 — Al-Ahli and Tunisia’s U.S. Monastir battled to a goalless draw last night in the first leg of their Arab Champions League match at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.
Despite Ahli’s incessant attacks the Jeddah-based squad were unable to get a goal.
Ahli striker Waleed Al-Jezani typified his team’s struggles as he came up empty-handed at the end of the math.
Ahli will next face the Tunisian team in Tunisia for the second leg on Oct. 18.
Meantime, two-time defending champions Al-Ittihad look to seal their place in the AFC Champions League semifinal when they take on Al-Karama of Syria today.
Ittihad take a two goals to none lead when they play the hosts in the second leg of the quarterfinal series. Ittihad won the first leg match 2-0 on Sept. 13.
Ittihad are likely to start without their star player Mexican international Jared Borgetti who suffered a minor injury, according to a source at Ittihad.
Hamad Al-Sanie, Ittihad team manager, said that the team is ready to go all the way and book a ticket to the semifinal. He said the team identified Al-Karama’s weaknesses and strong points and most likely Ittihad will play conservatively to try and protect their advantage.
He said, “Al-Karama is a strong team and we should not underestimate them. We are playing in front of their home crowd but we are confident that we will win the match.”
In Riyadh, Al-Shabab will face an impossible task against the Korean team Ulsan Horang in their return match.
Shabab suffered an embarrassing defeat against the Koreans 6-0 in Korea on Sept. 13 in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash.
