JEDDAH, 9 December 2006 — A triple blast by Al-Shabab striker Atram lifted the Riyadh outfit to a 3-1 victory over Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Soccer League in Riyadh yesterday.
The goal rush began in the 18th minute from a penalty kick, but Ittihad canceled out the Shabab lead five minutes later through Burgati, whose superb volley of a Hassan Keta’s rising pass gave Ittihad hope.
But Atram again, via a penalty kick, put Shabab ahead in 32nd minute. The penalty was disputed by the Ittihad players, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
In the 67th minute Atram collected a superb pass and ran into the box with only Ittihad goalkeeper Tasser Al-Nitaef at his mercy.
Atram crowned his hat trick with a clinical placement to the right side of the keeper.
Ittihad’s cup of woes was to the brim when Ibrahim Al-Suwaed was sent off in the last minute of the match.
In Dammam, Al-Khaleej held the fancied Al-Nasr 1-1. Khaleej struck first through Muhammad Al-Khidadi in the 32nd minute, but Nasr salvaged a point in the 41st minute when Ahmed Khair got on to the score sheet.
In Al-Rass, Al-Ittifaq defeated Al-Faisali 3-0.
