JEDDAH: Al-Hilal needed a killer goal in the second extra time to beat city rival Al-Shabab 1-0 last night in the final of the Crown Prince Cup football tournament at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
Hilal defender Fahd Al-Muffarrej scored the only goal of the match when he nodded in a cross from the left inside of the penalty box in the 114th minute.
Both teams were scoreless at the end of regulation period, injury time and the first 15-minute extension.
With the victory Hilal, which successfully defended the crown, became the winningest team in the competition with eight titles. Hilal also won in 1964, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008. Ittihad which shared the most number of championships with Hilal at the start of the tournament is the second most successful team with seven championships.
Also, the victory laid the foundation for a possible major championship double for Hilal as the team leads the Saudi Professional League entering the homestretch.
Hilal’s star striker Yaser Al-Qahtani failed to score throughout the match and a defender had to step in his place to end the goal drought in the marathon contest watched by an overflowing crowd of supporters from both sides.
On its way to the final Hilal won the first match against Al-Watani 2-0 in the round of 16. Hilal then defeated Al-Wehda in Makkah 1-0 in the quarterfinals before defeating another Riyadh rival Al-Nasr 1-0 in the semifinals.
Shabab began its drive to the final by defeating Abha 2-1 in the round of 16. Shabab then defeated Al-Fat’h 1-0 in the quarterfinals and Al-Hazem 3-1 in the semifinals.
Prince Sattam ibn Abdul Aziz, deputy governor of Riyadh, attended the match and awarded the trophy and gold medals to the champion team and the silver medals to the runner-up.
