JEDDAH, 13 March 2007 — The Riyadh-based Al-Nasr face Kuwait of Kuwait in Kuwait in a crucial Group B quarterfinal match today in the Arab Champions League.
Nasr must win the match in Kuwait and hope that Al-Faisali of Jordan lose against Setif in Algeria on March 15 to have any chance of progressing to the next round. Currently Nasr are in third position with 6 points and Kuwait last with mere 4 points.
In the event of a Al-Faisali win against ES Setif or a draw Nasr can kiss their semifinal hopes goodbye and both ES Setif and Al-Faisali would qualify from Group B.
Nasr had missed the golden opportunity to either win or draw to at least delay the fate of the Group B hopefuls in the next round after they lost against ES Setif in Algeria 1-0 on Feb.27. Now, Nasr’s fate is partly in the hands of other teams. Al-Ahli and El Zamalek of Egypt had qualified for the semifinals of the competition after respectively beating Qadisiya of Kuwait 3-1 in Kuwait and CA Bordj Bou Arreridj 1-0 in Algeria on Feb. 26.. The quarterfinal second leg victories left Zamalek on top of Group A with 10 points and Ahli second with 9 points.
In beating their opponents Zamalek and Ahli made their match today meaningless with only the final placings to be determined at the end of the round.
