JEDDAH, 8 March 2008 — Al-Hilal etched their name in the Crown Prince Cup for the seventh time, drawing level with Al-Ittihad on the number of championship, with a 2-0 victory over Al-Ittifaq at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh yesterday to send their fans delirious.

It was a day that will be remembered for a very long time by Hilal fans, who had been at odds with their team for their indifferent performances in the Kingdom’s league and Cup events last season. But yesterday Hilal, who had promised their fans that had filled the stadium to its capacity that they would keep the cup in Riyadh, delivered on their pledge. And that too in style. Hilal dominated the match and managed to keep Ittifaq off-balance throughout the match. Prince Salman, Riyadh governor, attended the match and awarded Hilal the trophy and gold medals.

The celebrations were hit by a discordant note when right after the match, legendary Hilal and national goalkeeper Muhammad Al-Daie announced his retirement from football. He was given a warm sendoff as he made his exit after a lap around the field.

Hilal proved the more determined side on the day, as Ittifaq, following their last-gasp semifinal win against Al-Ahli, appeared overconfident. Hilal played to a plan as they charged from the very first minute of the match to leave the Ittifaq players stunned and on the defensive. Al-Qahtani, the key Hilal player, moved in dangerously close in the fifth minute, as an Al-Tayeb pass to Al-Qahtani was cleared inside the box by the crowding out tactics of the defenders

But Al-Qahtani was not to be denied in the 6th minute as he shouldered down a high ball and launched a strong shot from outside the penalty box. The pile-driver of a shot soared past the goalkeeper to the right corner. Al-Qahtani came close to scoring another two minutes later, but his finish of a fine solo run blocked by the goalkeeper.

Hilal effectively shackled Saleh Basheer and Prince Tago by controlling the midfield. And on the occasions when the Ittifaq midfield fired, Hilal defenders shadowed the Ittifaqi stars to render them ineffective. Hilal continued to hammer Ittifaq with incessant attacks and the second goal came in the 35th from a penalty kick. Tafarees was tackled inside the penalty box and Tareq Al-Tayeb, Hilal star of the match following a stellar role in the midfield, placed the ball to the left hand side of the goalkeeper.

Up by two goals, Hilal came in the second half with a different strategy. This time they played to a defensive plan with an emphasis on protracted midfield play and swift counters. Hilal’s defense stood fast against the Ittifaq strikers and their effective marking and some clean tackles did not give Ittifaq the opportunity to get back into the game. And as time wound down, Ittifaq’s frustration grew and this affected their play. With the Hilal defense coming up trumps, the final whistle was the signal for the celebrations to start.

But soon after the whistle, Al-Daie made his startling announcement. The Hilal players surrounded the goalkeeper trying to convince him to reverse his decision. But for the moment Al-Daie seems to have hung up his boots. Ittifaq coach congratulated Hilal on their victory and said they deserved it, adding that Hilal pressured Ittifaq throughout the match, and did not give them the opportunity and space.