JEDDAH, 30 August 2007 — The second round of the Saudi football league continues today with two matches taking place. The first match pits Al-Watani of Tabuk against Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad. The second match is between Wehda of Makkah and Al-Hazem of Al-Rass.
Al-Watani entertain the Jeddah- based team and the defending champions Ittihad in Tabuk. With three points from one win against Najran of Najran 1-0 on Thursday, Ittihad are looking to continue the winning campaign and collect the game three points on which to build momentum.
Since the league has adopted the points system to determine the winner, Ittihad along with the other elite teams will see to it that no points are wasted. Al-Watani, on the other hand, suffered a 5-0 drubbing from Al- Hilal 5-0 also on Thursday. The luck of the draw has put the rookie team in two strong matches against the winner and the runner up, which resulted in this bumpy start.
Ittihad left for Tabuk yesterday with all players on board, including Talal Al-Mishal, the former Ahli club striker who transferred to Ittihad club coming from Qatar. Ittihad finished preparing for the match and their coach focused more on fitness.
In the other match, Wehda host Al-Hazem of Al-Rass in Makkah. Al-Hazem sprang the first surprise of the Saudi league after defeating the champions of Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup and Crown Prince Cup 1-0 in Al-Rass on Friday. Wehda won their first match against Qadisiya 5-0 on Thursday.
Wehda are looking to repeat the same spectacular performance of last year and climb up the top of the team standings, a feat that Al-Hazem want to match as they try to test their mettle against the big teams.
Meantime, Al-Ittifaq defeated host club Al-Wakra 2-1 yesterday and qualified for the semifinals with their second straight victory in Group A in the Gulf Club Championship 2007 football tournament in Qatar.
