JEDDAH, 14 February 2007 — Saudi sides Al-Ahli and Al-Nasr clinched important home victories in the Arab Champions League football tournament yesterday.
The Riyadh-based team Nasr played like a team reborn and beat hitherto unbeaten Al-Faisali of Jordan 3-1.
In front of unexpected large Nasr crowd that showed up at King Fahd International Stadium, Nasr made fans their fans happy and satisfied after notching the well-deserved victory that stemmed a poor run of results.
Al-Faisali apparently paid the price for underestimating Nasr and their bid to qualify for the semifinals put on ice in light of the hosts’ determined display at their home field.
With nine points, Faisali will attempt to book their place with victory in their next match.
Muhammad Al-Shahrani drew first blood for Nasr in the fourth minute from a nice pass.
The pumped-up Nasr pushed forward in search of another goal that came in the 18th minute courtesy of Saad Al-Harthy. Abdul Hadi scored the only goal for Al-Faisali following a goalkeeping mistake. Nasr answered quickly with the third and final goal of the match one minute later from a penalty kick.
With the win Nasr jumped to the second position with 6 points while the Jordanian team remained untouched at the top of the Group B standings.
In Jeddah at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Ahli jumped from fourth to first position of Group A with a fine 2-1victory over CA Bordj Bou Arreridj.
Ahli kept their hopes of qualifying alive with 6 points in the group.
Malek Muaz launched a strong rocket shot in the 25th minute to open the Ahli account.
Throughout the match, Ahli were better and more dangerous. The Algerian goal came from an own goal deflected by Ahli defender.
Ahli came back and scored the second goal from a penalty kick by Khaled Badra to preserve the win. The penalty was awarded after Kaio was tackled inside the penalty box. The Algerian team slipped to second with 5 points.
Agent Confirms Figo Move to Ittihad
In Madrid, Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo will join Saudi club Al-Ittihad in July after ending his European career with Inter Milan, his agent confirmed yesterday, adds AFP.
Figo “is going to end his European career in Italy in June and then he is going to continue in Saudi Arabia as a Al-Ittihad player from July 1, 2007, just as the contract between the Saudi club and Luis Figo says,” his Spain-based agent Mariam Abou Khadour Montano said in a statement sent to AFP.
“The agreement is final and binding,” she said.
Figo had told media on Monday that his proposed move to Al-Ittihad was far from a done deal, despite the declarations of the Saudi club’s president, Mansour Al-Balwi.
“I’m waiting to see if I go or not. Any decision has to be taken carefully and thoughtfully,” he said.
Figo quit international football with 127 caps after Portugal finished fourth at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
He joined Inter in 2005 having previously worn the colors of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon.
