Ittifaq, Hilal Seek Gulf Clubs Final Berth

[Editor]

Ittifaq, Hilal Seek Gulf Clubs Final Berth

Arab News

JEDDAH, 27 November 2007 — Al-Ittifaq and Al-Hilal clash in a crucial second leg match of their semifinal series in the Gulf Clubs Championships 2007 in Riyadh today.

The first leg match ended 1-1 in Dammam on Oct. 23. Al-Jazirah of UAE qualified for the final of the competition after defeating Nasr of Oman 1-0 in the second leg match on Sunday. Al-Jazirah had defeated Nasr of Oman 2-0 in the first leg match to bring the aggregate tally to 3-0.

Al-Jazirah now await the winner of the Ittifaq-Hilal tie in the final.

Hilal are expected to come strong in the match and try to finish off Ittifaq right in the first half.

Hilal will be banking on the 4-5-1 formation with Al-Anbar in the striking line. Muhammad Al-Daie, Hilal goalkeeper, will miss the match after he received the news of his mother’s death two days ago.

To get the win Hilal have to work hard to disable the striking line and midfield of Ittifaq, two areas where Ittifaq enjoy the edge over Hilal. Hilal coach said that his team is suffering from shortage of players but he will manage with those available to play today. Ace striker Yaser Al-Qahtani remains a doubtful starter for Hilal today.

Ittifaq, on the other hand, are hoping that the four players that joined the national team in the Pan Arab Games in Egypt, Saleh Basheer, Hussein Al-Najaie, Jamman Al-Jamman and Majed Al-Amri, will be able to play against Hilal because they are the team’ s key players. Abdul Aziz Al-Dossary, president of Ittifaq club, said hopes are high Ittifaq would reach the final.

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