JEDDAH, 24 February 2007 — Al-Ittihad began their quest for the Crown Prince Cup with a tennis score verdict against Al-Taie. Ittihad crushed Taie 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals, but it was the form of their players that was most heartening in the knockout soccer event here.
Manaf was back for Ittihad following a two-game red card suspension and Hamad Al-Muntasheri displayed the old verve in the one-sided match. Ittihad introduced a new player to their fans professional player Renaldo Olivera and he displayed glimpses of his flair that could go a long way in helping Ittihad’s chances in this tourney.
Ittihad came to the match determined to win. And their determination and cohesive approach led to a spectacular performance that will surely send a message to the rest of the teams that they mean business. Ittihad dominated the match with the Taie defense valiantly trying to stop the wave of Ittihad attacks.
Al-Hassan Keta scored for Ittihad in the 12th minute of the match followed by another goal from Manaf in the 24th minute enabling their team to switch ends with a 2-0 edge. Olivera, playing for Ittihad for the first time, looked dangerous from the first touch and was on the scorer’s list in the 66th minute. He collected a nice pass, before weaving his way inside the penalty box. He outpaced an already tired Taie defender who was trying to keep up with the powerful player with a speed that dazzled before neatly placing the ball into the net. Taie’s lone cheer came from Ittihad’s goalkeeper mistake, who failed to hold the ball from a strong shot, and Fahd Al-Ghamdi took advantage of the rebound and shot home in the 68th minute. Stunned by this goal, Ittihad struck twice with a fine header from Renaldo Olivera from a fine cross from Keta in the 69th minute. And Keta struck in the 70th minute and scored the fifth goal for Ittihad from a nice shot leaving the goalie the players and Taie administration on the bench stunned. Mishal Al-Saeed sealed Ittihad’s win in the 80th minute of the match. Ittihad will face Najran in Jeddah next.
