JEDDAH, 23 March 2007 — It was celebration time for Ittihad fans as the two time Asian champions beat archrivals Al-Ahli 3-0 in the Saudi Soccer League at the Prince Abdullah ibn Al-Faisal Stadium yesterday
Playing most of the match with only ten players in the Jeddah derby billed, the Itti-tigers gave a lesson in professional soccer and determination in the striking success.
As all big games go in front of a full house stadium, the match started off cautiously with both the teams trying to find their feet while measuring up their opponents’ strengths. The tempo picked up midway through the half as Ahli’s golden boy from Madinah, Malek Muathiz, got the first look at the goal. He effected a hard shot but its was superbly deflected by the keeper.
Ittihad too picked up their rhythm as they first took control of the midfield and then the match by pressuring Ahli with some finely constructed attacks to confine them to their half of the field. Ahli relied on counter attacks but their moves foundered against a strong Ittihadi defense.
After a wasted free kick and three consecutive abortive corners, Ittihad found the net. A strong header by Hamed Muntashari flew over a crowded Ahli defense to bulge the net in the 24th minute.
Ahli retaliated with a string of attacks in search of a quick equalizer but Ittihad’s defense held. The closest they came in the session was when Malek fired in a strong left footer from a few feet outside the box but Ittihad goalkeeper Tasser Al-Nataef managed to ward off the threat.
In the 39th minute, Ittihadi left back Mishal Al-Saeed received his second yellow card in the match after recklessly bringing down Ibrahim Al-Hazazi an d thus got his marching orders.
Ahli, with a man advantage, seized control of the midfield and peppered the Ittihadi keeper, who played one of his best games of the season, with a series of shots on the occasions the defense broke.
In the 44th minute Usamah Al-Muwalad nearly scored but his strong header hit the post.
Ahli started off strong in the second half but never managed to get by the alert Ittihad defenders. In the 62nd minute Ittihadi goalkeeper again saved the day as he fisted off a strong left footer by Abdullah Jaman. Ahli kept on applying pressure on Ittihad but failed to score.
From a fast counterattack, the Swiss referee awarded Ittihad a free kick in the 77th minute. Brazlian national Vagner proved his finesse from the set pieces as he struck true with a floater for Ittihad’s second goal. And when Hassan Kita slipped past Ahli defenders to notch the third 10 minutes later, it signaled the start of the Ittihad fans’ celebrations.
