JEDDAH, 3 December 2006 — Al-Ahli were back on the winning track. This time through the two Tunisian professionals Khaled Badra and Haykal Gamamdeya. Both scored for Ahli in the 2-0 victory against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Soccer League last night at Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.
Ahli turned in a excellent performance and were better organized than Shabab throughout the match. Gamamdeya opened the scoring for Ahli in the 14th minute. He showed fine opportunism as he pounced on a back pass by Malek Muaz, cut past the defense and shot home.
Khaled Badra, Ahli’s Tunisian defender and the star of the match, sealed the winner in the 88th minute from a diving header following a corner kick. The goalkeeper rushed to fend off the threat but Badra proved too quick and on target.
With this victory, Ahli jumped to fifth position with 14 points from eight matches. Ahli’s match against Al-Ittihad, meanwhile, was postponed due to former’s participation in Arab Champions League. The date of the match will be announced later.
The result left Al-Hilal on top with 21 points while Shabab are second with 19 points.
Meanwhile, Ahli were placed in tough group along with El Zamalek of Egypt, CA Bordj Bou Arreridj of Algeria and Qadisiya of Kuwait in Group A of the Arab Champions League.
The draw, that took place in Tunisia yesterday, left Al-Nasr in a relatively easy group with Kuwait of Kuwait, ES Setif of Algeria and Al-Faisaly of Jordan.
Ahli will host El-Zamalek of Egypt in Jeddah on Sunday Dec. 10 at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, while Al-Nasr host El-Setif of Algeria on the same date at Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium.
The Arab Champions League started in 2003-2004 and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia were the first champions. In 2004-2005, Ittihad of Saudi Arabia were crowned champions and in the last edition, 2005-2006, RCA Raja of Morocco were the winners.
