JEDDAH, 27 March 2004 – Al-Ittihad created history when they won the Crown Prince Cup for the seventh time by beating Al-Ahli 1-0 in the final played in Riyadh last night.
Both teams being from Jeddah, its streets were deserted during the 120 minutes of the match. Along the Corniche the scene was different with Ittihad supporters seen with prayer beads in their hands. There were others who looked worried as the match progressed in the capital.
In the first half, both teams were careful trying to test each other’s defense and tactics.
A golden chance was available for Ahli to score in the third minute of the game when Talal Al-Mishaal received a pass from Saheb Al-Abdullah and came face to face with Ittihad custodian Mabrook Zayed. He kicked the ball into the goalkeeper’s hands. That meant a big setback for Ahli. Zayed saved the goal and instantly became the star of the match.
Ahli lost its very important player in the 11th minute when its coach was forced to substitute Muhammad Shaliya because of an injury. In the 18th minute, Hussein Abdul Ghani launched a big strike but that went a few inches above the Ittihad bar.
Ahli’s Ali Al-Abdali came on the scene four minutes later. In the 22nd minute he made a dangerous move inside the box, but the ball found no takers and was cleared by Ittihad defense. Ittihad responded in the 30th minute when a move from Brazilian Chico found a Reda Tukar header going close to the right side of the Ahli goalpost. The score was goalless at the breather.
In the second half, Ittihad became more organized and looked determined to end the match without the play stretching to extra time. In the 57th minute, Ahli could have taken a lead when Talal Al-Mishaal took the ball from Ittihad defenders and sent a cross inside the Ittihad box, but the ball was cleared before Kim could convert it into a goal. Ittihad responded in the next minute and got the lead when Egyptian professional Islam Al-Shater sent a cross inside the Ahli box to the unguarded Ittihad attacker Hamza Idris. Idris had no difficulty in heading the ball into the goal. Ahli defenders were responsible for conceding the goal. Ahli pushed forward realizing that a goal down meant losing the trophy for the second year in a row. They had lost to Hilal 1-0 in the 64th minute in this tournament last year. Ahli attacker Kim struck hard from a foul outside the box but the ball was taken by custodian Mabrook Zayed. Ahli lost the services of Hussein Abdul Ghani because of an injury. It was looking for the equalizer but there was hardly any time left.
Meanwhile, Ahli lost another championship earlier in the day in a volleyball encounter with Hilal 3-2.
Beckham Doubtful for Sweden Friendly
In Mad England captain David Beckham may miss his side’s friendly international against Sweden next week because of heavy bruising to his right leg, agencies add.
Beckham sustained the injury during Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday and did not train with the rest of the squad yesterday.
Club doctor Juan Carlos Hernandez said Beckham was unlikely to play in tomorrow’s league match at home to Sevilla.
“We have very little time,” he said. “Today he was limping quite badly and although he will try it out tomorrow we are not going to force it.”
The club said on their website that if the 28-year-old midfielder did not make the Sevilla game he would travel to England to be checked over by FA medical staff but would not play against Sweden.
Liverpool striker Michael Owen may also miss the match after injuring a hamstring in his side’s 2-1 UEFA Cup defeat at Olympique Marseille on Thursday. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson names his squad on Saturday for the Euro 2004 warm-up in Gothenburg on Wednesday.
Celtic Goalkeeper Marshall Signs New Four-Year Deal
In Glasgow, David Marshall signed a new four-year deal with Celtic yesterday, a day after helping the Scottish league leaders secure a UEFA Cup quarterfinal place with a goalless draw in Barcelona.
Celtic were subjected to intense pressure in the Nou Camp on Thursday but, despite dominating the fourth round second leg, the Spanish side could not find a way past the inspired 19-year-old who made a string of outstanding saves.
Celtic, beaten finalists in last season’s UEFA Cup final, earned a last eight tie with another Spanish side, Villarreal, next month courtesy of their 1-0 home win over Barca two weeks ago.
“My mind was always on staying and this contract was always in the pipeline,” said Marshall, who only played after Scotland goalkeeper Robert Douglas was suspended from the first leg.
“It’s a dream to sign with the club I supported as a kid but I still have to work hard in training and just stay calm and keep working hard,” he told reporters.
Marshall had only made five appearances before facing Barca and Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said he was pivotal in helping them achieve one of their best European results in years. “He was wonderful last night and we’re glad to have him. He’s definitely got great potential and I was delighted with him. He was extraordinary and astonishing last night.”
Man. City’s Van Buyten To Miss Rest of Season
In London, Manchester City defender Daniel van Buyten will miss the rest of the season due to a groin injury, the Premier League club’s website reported yesterday.
The Belgian international, who is on loan from French side Olympique Marseille, has played just six games for City since arriving in February. “We have suffered a major blow,” City’s assistant manager Arthur Cox said. “It is highly unlikely that he will be able to play for us again this season.”
Van Buyten will also miss Belgium’s friendly against Germany next week.
The loss of the defender comes at a bad time for City, who are 16th in the premier league, only three points above the relegation zone. Despite a 4-1 victory over local rivals and champions Manchester United this month, City have lost 13 games this season, including Monday’s 2-1 defeat by fellow strugglers Leeds United in which Van Buyten was sent off.
