Hazm and Ahli share spoils

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Hazm shared the points away at Al-Ahli after their postponed match in the Zain Saudi Professional League ended in a 1-1 draw Thursday.

The draw put Al-Ahli in the fifth place on the standings with 28 points, while left Al-Hazm stranded in the ninth place with 20 points.

Midfielder Ahmed Minawer put Hazm in the lead a minute before the break, but Brazilian midfielder Marcinho leveled the score for Ahli six minutes after the break.

Ahli missed the services of its suspended Brazilian coach, Sergio Farias. He watched the match as a spectator. Moreover, striker Malik Mo’adh was also absent after receiving a couple of yellow cards.

With two matches still in hand, Ahli has secured a place among the eight teams to play the King’s Cup. The team sits fifth in the league, which has already been won by Al-Hilal.

Al-Hazm, on the other hand, with 20 points and two matches in hand, will need to battle well against Najran and Al-Wehdah to find a place among the top eight teams which can compete in the season’s last domestic competition.

This is, however, conditional to the failure of Al-Fateh and Al-Ittifaq, who have 21 points each, in their coming matches.

The Zain Saudi Premier League action will now return on Sunday when Al-Nasr is scheduled to take on Al-Wehda.
Al-Ra’id will play Al-Ittifaq in the league on Monday.

Saudi team taking part in Tunisia road safety event

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – A Saudi delegation is taking part in the 6th International Festival for Road Safety Campaigns and International Forum for Young Drivers in Tunisia starting Thursday.

According to Dr. Intisar Felemban, a Saudi female participant, the three-day gathering aims to collect and exchange experiences and innovative ideas related to road safety.
“The gathering is a good chance for road safety associations members and experts to exchange thoughts about their experiments,” Dr. Felemban told Saudi Gazette.

She saw the meeting as an important opportunity to contribute to the development of multimedia materials related to road safety.

Different Saudi government institutes are participating in the forum in which 50 countries are taking part.
“The Saudi delegation consists of members from the Interior Ministry, the General Department of Traffic, the Road Security Force and a number of people interested in road safety. The delegation members are to meet with experts from different international traffic departments and the World Health Organization (WHO),” Dr. Felemban said.

In recognition of the care services that he has provided to road accident victims, Ehab Saifuddin Al-Samanoudi, Chairman of Sokoun Company, has been chosen by the forum organizers to be the Man of the Year 2010 for his International Center for Extended Care project.

Al-Samanoudi ‘s project provides services for 247 injured quadriplegics, who require permanent nursing care assistants to carry out daily humanitarian tasks.

The center provides integrated social care to develop the relationship between the victim and his family. Such care, according to Dr. Felemban, includes an instruction program to help the injured person adapt to his situation.

“The project also observes the patient’s psychological side and provides him with the civil rights protection he needs to reenter society,” she added.

Saudia carries half a million passengers in 10-day break

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – The Saudi national air carrier, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) said Sunday it transported some 509,713 passengers during the recent school holidays.

The airlines had earlier announced it would add 66 domestic and international flights to its operations schedule during the 10-day school spring break.

It also proclaimed it would increase the seating capacity on 56 international flights from the Kingdom to Dubai, Beirut, Doha, Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh.

According to Abdullah Al-Ajhar, SAA’s Assistant Manager for Public Relations, some 3,775 flights carried these passengers.

He added that the school break witnessed an increase of about 105,252 passengers compared to the period a week before the break.

“SAA has succeeded in its operational plan during the spring break and has made necessary seats available to meet the travel demands during that short time,” Al-Ajhar said.

The official, who earlier said that SAA has no specific season, added that the national carrier prepares for the increasing demand on travel during holidays.

“Our offices and service centers are open to provide the best possible service that can reflect the high level of performance we have reached, and to mirror what care we offer to our customers” he said.

Al-Ajhar pointed out that 183,231 passengers were carried on 1,047 scheduled international flights while 316,952 passengers were transported on 2,639 scheduled domestic flights.

“Moreover, 47 additional international flights were operated. These carried some 3,484 travelers. On the other hand, there were 42 additional domestic flights that carried 6,046 passengers. We also increased the seating capacity of flight to Dubai, Beirut, Doha, Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh,” Al-Ajhar said.

Nasr wins match, spot in 2011 ACL

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Nasr defeated visiting side Al-Hazm 1-0 in a Zain Saudi Professional League match in Riyadh Thursday.

The result weakened Al-Hazm’s (19 points) chances to be among the eight teams to be playing the King’s Cup for Champions.

The team still has three more encounters - against Al-Ahli, Najran and Al-Wehdah. Wins in those matches can help Hazm appear in the event.

The win took Al-Nasr’s tally to 34 points and helped secure a spot in the 2011 AFC Champions League. Nasr also has three more matches in hand - against Al-Wehdah, Al-Fateh and Al-Ra’id. If it wins all three it would take Nasr to the second spot in the league, behind champion Hilal (50 points).

However, this is conditioned to the stumble of the current runner-up, Shabab and its follower, Ittihad.

The only goal in Thursday’s game came through Argentinean midfielder Victor Figueroa from the spot four minutes before time.

There are still three more weeks of action in the league. The next match is on March 5 when Hazm will take on Ahli, with the next one on March 7 when Nasr takes on Wehdah.
Al-Ra’id will then face Al-Ittifaq on March 8.

Hilal wins, Shabab holds Sepahan

By Mohammed Al-Kinani and agencies

JEDDAH – After a disappointing opening day of the AFC Champions League, Saudi Arabian clubs redeemed some lost prestige when national champion Al-

Hilal thumped hosts Al-Sadd of Qatar 3-0 in Group D and Al-Shabab shared two goals with Sepahan of Iran in Group C at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Al-Ittihad was routed 3-0 by big-spending Uzbek club Bunyodkor in an away match and Al-Ahli missed a penalty on way to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Iranian side Esteghlal in Jeddah.

With one point each, Shabab and Sepahan share the second position in Group C after Pakhtakor Tashkent of Uzbekistan collected three points through a 1-0 victory over Al-Ain of the UAE.

Yasser Al-Qahtani scored twice for Al-Hilal. He headed in a cross from Thiago Neves, and then volleyed in another one in the 66th. Neves’ last-minute goal made sure the trip home to Saudi Arabia was much more comfortable.

In the other Group D match, Iran’s Mes Kerman thrashed Emirates visitor Al-Ahli 4-2.

Defender Seyed Hosseini put Sepahan in the lead before striker Faisal Al-Sultan of Shabab leveled the score.

Sepahan started pressing on its hosts and succeeded to dominate the first half. The Iranians scored an early goal through Hosseini who took advantage of a ball that bounced from Shabab keeper Waleed Abdullah. Hosseini’s flying header landed in the net.

Ali Otaif of Shabab entered the box in the 30th minute and shot but the Iranian goalkeeper Rahmati was in the right place to avert danger. Rahmati again stood in the way of Flavio.

In the 41st minute, Shabab keeper Abdullah saved his goal from Emad Mohammed.

On resumption Shabab coach replaced left defender Abdullah Al-Astaa with striker Naji Majrashi.

This replacement helped the team improve and press on. The unmarked Al-Sultan received a cross outside the area in the 69th minute. The striker controlled the ball and fired into the right corner of the Iranian goalkeeper. The goal encouraged the host team to launch more attacks but the Iranian defenders stood firm.

Elsewhere, South Korea’s Pohang Steelers lost its first game as defending champion beaten 1-0 at Australia’s Adelaide United.

Breaking from the halfway line following a Pohang corner, Adelaide teenage striker Matthew Leckie pressured Park Hee-chul to stab the ball past the latter’s goalkeeper in first-half stoppage time. Leckie was credited with the goal by match officials, as the ball possibly deflected off him last.

The champ two years ago, Gamba Osaka packed the midfield to stifle host Suwon Bluewings in a goal-less draw. The other Group G match was also a goalless draw, as Henan Construction of China dominated Singapore Armed Forces without any luck.

Besides Adelaide in Group H, China’s Shandong Luneng also emerged a winner from a valuable 1-0 win at Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Ittihad, Ahli stumble on first hurdle

By Mohamed Al-Kinani and agencies

JEDDAH – Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli made disastrous starts to their Asian Champions League campaigns Tuesday.

While Al-Ittihad was routed 3-0 by big-spending Uzbek club Bunyodkor in an away match, Al-Ahli missed a penalty on way to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Iranian side Esteghlal at home here.

The Uzbek side, coached by former Brazil World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, got off to a strong start in Group B with a home victory against the former two-time champion from Saudi Arabia.

Former Brazil international Rivaldo, who was part of the Brazil side that won the 2002 World Cup under Scolari, put Bunyodkor ahead in the fourth minute.

Midfielder Jasur Hasanov doubled the advantage in the 21st, and Brazilian striker Denilson completed the scoring in the 67th. Denilson – namesake of the player who formerly was the world’s most expensive player – was making his first appearance for Bunyodkor in the ACL after helping Pohang Steelers win the competition last year.
Mohammed Noor missed a penalty in injury time.

In the other Group B match, Iran’s Zob Ahan began its second stint in the league with a 1-0 win over Abu Dhabi’s Al-Wahda striker Igor Castro’s score on the hour.

Ahli went down fighting against Esteghlal of Iran in Group A. Skipper Farhad Majidi scored in the 12th and 76th minutes for the visitors. Substitute Hasan Al-Rahib scored for Al-Ahli in the 85th.
Esteghlal keeper Mohammed Mohammadi was the man of the match as he kept Ahli players at bay most of the time.

He committed one mistake during the match when he brought down Abdurraheem Al-Jaizawi inside the box in the 68th minute. He, however, corrected that by denying Marcinho da Silva spot kick.

The defeat must have come as a shock to Ahli coach Sergio Farias, who won the title last year with Korea’s Pohang Steelers.

Addressing the press after the match Farias asked the fans to show patience saying that he has been with the team only for a month and players need experience for such tournaments. “The championship is tough and any participating team should have enough experience,” he said.

Despite the loss he praised his players’ efforts and said they were unlucky to have missed so many chances. “Congratulations to Esteghlal, but still have the away encounter,” he said.

In the other Group A encounter Qatar’s Al-Gharafa won 2-1 at Al-Jazira of the UAE with a 17th-minute goal from Othman Al-Assas and another in the 53rd from Younis Mahmoud. Rafael Sobis pulled one back for the hosts in the 56th at Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.

Japan’s Kashima Antlers, South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Seongnam Ilhwa and China’s Beijing Guoan were also winners on the opening day of the group stage.

Kashima had a 1-0 home win over China’s Changchun Yatai in Group F, with the winner coming via a 43rd-minute header from midfielder Koji Nakata, who was back with the Antlers after spells with Marseille and Basel.

Replacement Kruno Lovrek posted a hat trick as 2007 champion Jeonbuk cruised past Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia 4-1 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Kim Seung-yong’s penalty started off Jeonbuk before Lovrek was sent in midway through the first half and scored two minutes later.
Lovrek notched his second in the 66th, and after Ian Kabes replied for Persipura a minute later, Lovrek hit home his third with nine minutes to go.

In South Korea, Seongnam was 2-0 winner over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.

In the other Group E game, Beijing Guoan was 1-0 home winner over Australia’s Melbourne Victory.

Al-Hilal retains Crown Prince Cup

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Hilal claimed the Crown Prince Cup for the third successive time after edging Al-Ahli 2-1 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh Friday.

Brazilian striker Victor Simoes put Ahli in the lead in the first half, but Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson scored the equalizer for the Blues. Brazilian midfielder Thiago Neves’s goal midway through the second half made the difference for the defending champion.

Gracing the event, Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, later handed the gold medals to Hilal players before awarding the cup to the team’s skipper, Mohammed Al-Deayea. He also gave away the silver medals to Al-Ahli players.

Hilal banked on players on its left wing Abdullah Al-Zouri, Mohammed Al-Shalhoub and Wilhelmsson to make moves. Wilhelmsson kept on moving from one side to the other to add pressure on Ahli. Ahli, however, remained focused, played solid defense and looked for counter-attacks.
Simoes received a pass in the box two minutes before the break. He controlled the ball and kicked it into the right corner of Hilal keeper Hasan Al-Otaibi.

Yasser Al-Qahtani had an opportunity to equalize for Hilal a minute later but his header went high.

Hilal players returned after the break rejuvinated. They started attacking the rival’s goal more often which resulted in an equalizer for Hilal.
Qahtani reached the opponent’s area, dodged a defender and before the ball could go over the goal-line sent a cross to Wilhelmsson, who tabbed it into the goal in the 65th minute.

After the goal, the two coaches made a couple of changes. Hilal’s Eric Gerets brought in Nawaf Al-Abed for midfielder Mohammed Al-Shalhoub, while Ahli’s Sergio Farias replaced striker Malik Mo’adh with Abdurraheem Al-Jaizawi and Mohammed Al-Sifri with another midfielder Waleed Ba-Khashwain.
The changes, however, failed to help Ahli as Hilal managed to score another goal in the 77th minute.

Wilhelmsson received a long pass, which he controlled and advanced into the box before hitting a cross to his teammates in the six-yard area. Ahli keeper Abdullah Al-Ma’ayouf, however, deflected it to the unmarked Neves, who kicked it into the left corner of the keeper.

Farias bolstered his frontline with a striker, replacing midfielder Alaa Raishani with striker Hasan Al-Rahib, but the change bore no fruit.

A 90th-minute Ahli kick could have spoiled Hilal’s day, but the Brazilian Ahli Marcinho’s kick from outside the box hit the bar.

While Hilal players’ experience played an important role in the team’s defending the title, the absence of three key players - Saifuddine Ghazal, Mo’ataz Al-Mousa and Tayseer Al-Jassim - affected Ahli’s performance.

After the ceremony Hilal’s Belgian coach Gerets offered his gold medal to one of the disabled fan attending the match.

The administration of King Fahd Stadium confiscated around 1,500 scanned copies of entry tickets. The case has been referred to the authorities concerned.

It’s Hilal vs. Ahli in Crown Prince Cup final

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – It is Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli in the final of the Crown Prince Cup after the title holder Hilal defeated Najran 2-1 at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium Monday.

Yasser Al-Qahtani of Al-Hilal put his team in the lead and Majed Abu Yabis leveled the score for Najran. However, Al-Qahtani doubled the score for

Hilal to put the Blues in the final against Al-Ahli which had qualified Sunday after defeating Shabab 3-1 in a shootout after the teams shared four goals during the regulation and extra time.

Although Najran players knew they were facing the league champion, they pressed on their opponents during the first 15 minutes. Hilal then took the lead through its striker Al-Qahtani who received a cross from Omar Al-Ghamdi in the area in the 18th minute. Qahtani immediately kicked into the far left corner of Najran goalkeeper Jabir Al-Ameri.
Al-Ameri foiled another attempt by Qahtani in the 31st minute when the Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson sent another cross into the same area. Five minutes later, Wilhelmsson faced the goalkeeper but Ameri did his best to foil him.

Najran fought hard to equalize but the Hilal defenders and goalkeeper Hasan Al-Otaibi were at their best.

In the second half, the fast game continued and it was again Al-Qahtani who struck in the 52nd minute when he received a cross inside the six-yard area to nudge the ball into the bottom right corner of Al-Ameri.

Hilal then looked relaxed. On the other hand, Najran did not lose hope and fought spiritedly. Its players tried their level best to shake Al-Otaibi net.

Two minutes after Hilal second goal, Majed Abu Yabis free kick from outside the box found its way to the left corner of Otaibi. A few minutes later, Abu Yabis headed towards the goal but the ball hit the bar and Hilal defender saved the situation. Turki Al-Thaqafi failed to clear a ball that bounced off Otaibi in three minutes before the end of the exciting match.

The stadium was almost full by supporters of Hilal who went to see their team enter the final.

Hilal will meet Al-Ahli in the championship match on Friday at King Fahd International Stadium.

Training program for former drug addicts

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – The Technical and Vocational Training Board TVTB in Makkah Region has announced the launch of the third training program for former drug addicts.

Consisting four courses: secretary, office works, computer and English language, the program is a joint cooperation between the TVTB, the General Department for Combating Narcotics and Al-Amal Hospital.

According to Dr. Rashid Al-Zahrani, head of the Makkah TVTB, the program started Saturday with the presence of 64 drug addicts who have been treated successfully.
“The program comes as part of the TVTB’s social responsibilities and it will be followed by efforts to find suitable jobs for the recovered people,” Al-Zahrani said.

He stressed the importance of supporting these people through training them and making them productive members of the society. Al-Zahrani pointed out that the TVTB has held two similar programs where some 160 recovered people had finished 120 training hours of office works, 165 training hours of computer maintenance and 120 training hours of computerized accountancy.

Ahli in Crown Prince Cup final

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Ahli qualified for the final of the Crown Prince Cup after defeating Al-Shabab 3-1 in a shootout after the teams shared four goals during the regulation and extra time at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium Sunday.

Mo’ataz Al-Mousa put Al-Ahli in the lead before Faisal Al-Sultan scored an equalizer for Shabab. Waleed Al-Jaizani doubled the score for Shabab before Abdurraheem Al-Jaizawi leveled the score for Ahli.

In the 27th minute, Ahli striker Malik Mo’adh controlled the ball outside the area and lobbed it to the advancing Al-Mousa who, with one touch, beat the advancing Shabab goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah.

In the second half, Shabab coach Pacheco replaced Abdul Aziz Al-Sa’aran with Faisal Al-Sultan in an attempt to strengthen his team’s frontline. Al-Sultan succeeded to level the score ten minutes after the break. The substitute received a long pass from Brazilian midfielder Camacho. He scored his team’s first goal when Ahli goalkeeper Abdullah Ma’youf left his goal to foil the attempt in vain. After this goal, Ahli coach Sergio

Farias proved that the name and fame do not matter much when it comes to deliver. He replaced two strikers. Farias replaced Hasan Al-Rahib with midfielder Abdurraheem Jaizawi and Malik Mo’adh with the 19-year-old striker Yasser Al-Fehmi.

A few minutes later, Ahli defenders failed to clear a cross pass in the area from Al-Sultan. The ball passed both Saifuddine Ghazal and Mohammed Musa’ad to find Waleed Al-Jaizani who effortlessly put it into the goal.
Pacheco replaced defender Abdullah Al-Ostta with midfielder Badr Al-Haqbani. In the 41st minute striker Abdurraheem Al-Jaizawi of Al-Ahli made a sole effort when he passed three defenders to face the goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah and kicked strongly into the goal.

In the shootout, Mohammed Al-Sifri, Mo’ataz Al-Mousa and the Omani midfielder Ahmed Kano scored for Al-Ahli while two kicks by the Brazilian Marcinho and Yasser Al-Fehmi were blocked by Shabab keeper Waleed Abdullah.

On the other hand, the kicks of Camacho and Ahmed Otaif of Al-Shabab went out while Ahli keeper Abdullah Ma’youf saved a kick by Badr Al-Haqbani.
However, Ali Otaif scored for Shabab.

On Monday, Al-Hilal and Najran will meet at the same venue to decide the second finalist which will meet Al-Ahli in the final Friday.

Hilal to take on Najran in semis

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

DAMMAM – Al-Hilal and Najran qualified to the semifinals of the Crown Prince Cup after defeating Nasr and Al-Ansar, respectively Wednesday.
Al-Hilal won over its city rival Al-Nasr 2-1 at King Fahd International Stadium.

Although Nasr scored first through Guinean midfielder Pascal Feindouno ten minutes after the break, Hilal succeeded to level the score through

Brazilian midfielder Thiago Neves in the 61st minute. The Blues doubled the score through the Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson in the 22nd minute of the extra time.

The city rivals fought an interesting match that pleased their fans who filled almost all seats.

Hilal set up a perfect offside trap for its opponent. However, a cross by Victor Figueroa went inside the box to Pascal who headed into the right corner of Hilal keeper Hasan Al-Otaibi.

Neves made several attempts from outside the area, but Khalid Radhi, keeper of Nasr, saved the midfielder’s attempts. However, Radhi failed to block a strong kick by Neves from outside the box. The kick landed at the far right corner of Radhi.

The two teams unleashed several attacks and witnessed dangerous plays by players of both the teams.

Nasr skipper left the field with an injury in his right knee. The match was taken to extra time.

Eight minutes before the final whistle Wilhelmsson received a cross inside the box from Eissa Al-Muhayani. Nasr defenders thought Wilhelmsson was in an offside position. The Swedish midfielder nudged the ball into the goal to secure his team’s win.

In another match, Najran defeated its host Al-Ansar 3-1 at Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Stadium.

Najran defender gave the opponents a goal when scored an own goal in the 19th minute. However, his midfielder teammate Majed Abu Yabes leveled the score five minutes before the break.

With the full time ended with the same result, the match was taken to extra-time. The Congolese striker of Najran, Depa, put his team in the
lead in the 109th minute before his teammate Mohsen Al-Najrani sealed the win.

Najran will meet Al-Hilal in the semifinals Monday at King Fahd International Stadium.

A day before, Al-Ahli and Shabab will meet at the same stadium to decide the first finalist.

Awareness campaign on tooth decay targets kids

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Targeting one million children, a national awareness campaign to fight tooth decay will soon kick off.

This was announced Wednesday at the conclusion of the the three-day Saudi International Dental Medicine Conference held in Riyadh at the King Fahd Cultural Center.

Dr. Hussan Halawani, General Secretary of the Saudi Dental Society (SDS) and Head of the Saudi national campaign to fight tooth decay, announced that King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved the launch of a national campaign to fight tooth decay in children.
“On behalf of the King, minister of health will patronize a five-year-long, national campaign which was planned to target a million children,” Dr. Halawani added.

He pointed out that King Saud University (KSU) will host the national program and will be supervised by the children’s tooth decay research chair at the university.

He pointed out that the campaign will focus on all schoolchildren in their primary level.
“Tooth decay in youngsters is a serious health concern in Saudi Arabia,” he said and added that the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will surely give weight to the campaign that is expected to raise awareness about the health of our new generation.

Patronized by Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh, the three-day conference which was concluded Wednesday was organized by The Faculty of Medicine at KSU in collaboration with the SDS.

According to Dr. Halawani, the conferees discussed several issues related to oral and tooth health.
“The conference saw experts from both inside and outside the country,” Dr. Halawani said. He added that many seminars and workshops were also held on the sidelines of the gathering.

He thanked Prince Salman for patronizing the event which came as a fruitful addition to the development of Saudi health care services.

Ahli and Shabab set up semis clash

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab set up their Crown Prince Cup semifinal match after securing comfortable wins over Al-Fateh and Al-Ta’i respectively Tuesday.

While Ahli beat its host Al-Fateh 2-0 at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al-Shabab secured a 3-1 win over visitors Al-Ta’i at King Fahd International Stadium.

Brazilian striker Victor Simoes’ double was enough to secure the last four spot for Ahli. He scored his first in the 61st minute and needed only three more minutes to double the lead for his team.

Fateh players’ early attempts to penetrate the green defense went in vain.

Neither the host team nor the visitors could score in the first half of the match with each team’s defense keeping the rival strikers at bay.

In the other match Shabab took the lead in the 26th minute through Abdul Aziz Al-Yousuf, who scored again 10 minutes later to double the margin.
Fahd Fallata’s lone effort bore fruit for Al-Ta’i when he succeeded in pulling one back 10 minutes after the break.

Shabab’s Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Camacho, however, put the result beyond any doubt in the 77th minute.

Ahli and Shabab will meet in the semis Sunday.

Champion Al-Hilal will play its city rival Al-Nasr, while Al-Ansar will host Najran in the remaining quarterfinals Wednesday. - SG

Saudi ref Ghamdi off to World Cup

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Saudi Arabia’s Khalil Ibrahim Jalal Al-Ghamdi was named Friday among the 30 referees for the World Cup Finals in South Africa in June.

FIFA has appointed 30 referees representing 28 countries for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Al-Ghamdi will appear in the World Cup for the second time. He also took part in the 2006 World Cup which took place in Germany.

Omar Al-Muhanna, the newly-appointed head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Referee Committee, expressed his joy over the selection of Al-Ghamdi for the top soccer competition. He wished Al-Ghamdi all the best.

Three other Saudi referees have participated in World Cups: Fallaj Al-Shanar in 1986 Mexico World Cup, Abdurrahman Al-Zaid in 1998 France; and Ali Al-Turaify in 2002 Korea-Japan Cup.

The selection of referees, however, did not go without a controversy. Swede Martin Hansson, who was at the center of France’s controversial World Cup qualification, was also among the referees selected for the Finals.

Hansson failed to spot Thierry Henry’s handball in the playoff second leg against Ireland in Paris in November and was widely criticized after the incident led to the goal which allowed France to qualify.

Ten referees from Europe, six from South America, four from the Asian, African and CONCACAF confederations and two from New Zealand were appointed for the World Cup after a meeting in Zurich of the refereeing committee of world soccer’s ruling body FIFA.

Najran knocks Ittihad out

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Najran knocked Al-Ittihad out of the Crown Prince Cup by securing a quarterfinals berth with a 2-1 win Friday.

The win was the first for Najran over the Jeddah club in a decade. In other matches Al-Ansar defeated visiting team Al-Hazm 4-2 in extra-time, while Al-Ta’ee needed a shoot-out to edge host Al-Wehdah 6-5.

Congolese striker Depa scored both the goals for Najran - one two minutes before the break and the other in the 65th minute from the spot. Skipper Mohammad Noor scored for Ittihad from the spot after Sultan Al-Numari was brought down in the box.

The win secures Najran a meeting against Al-Ansar in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

Ittihad is now out of the fourth championship this season - AFC champion, Zain Saudi Professional League, Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup and Crown Prince Cup.

At Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Stadium, Ansar won 4-2 over Hazm after the match was taken into extra-time.

Al-Ta’ee will play Al-Shabab in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

Hilal and 3 others in quarters

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Hilal, Al-Nasr, Al-Shabab and Al-Ahli booked their Crown Prince Cup quarterfinals berths Thursday.

Defending champion Al-Hilal beat visitors Al-Faisali 2-1; Al-Nasr beat host Al-Ra’id 2-0; Al-Shabab defeated its host Al-Qadisiyah 2-1; while Al-Ahli edged its host Hajr 3-2.

In Riyadh Christian Wilhelmsson put Hilal in front 11 minutes into the second half when the Swedish midfielder diverted a cross into the goal.

Hilal had its rival player Aqeel Bulghaith to thank for the winner when he scored an own goal in the 70th minute.
Abdul Aziz Fallata scored the guest team’s only goal two minutes from time.

In the Nasr-Ra’id match, Egyptian Nasr Hosam Ghali double was enough to secure a win for Nasr.
Nasr will meet Hilal in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

Al-Shabab edged its host Al-Qadisiyah 2-1. Peruvian midfielder Juan Elias Cominges put Qadisiyah in the lead in the 30th minute but goals from Waleed Al-Jaizani and Marcelo Camacho handed Shabab the win.

Shabab will meet the winner of Friday’s match between Al-Wehdah and Al-Ta’ee in the quarterfinal match on Tuesday.

In another match, Al-Ahli beat Hajr 3-2. Strong winds affected the result.
Husain Al-Rahib put Ahli in the lead seven minutes into the match. Mohammed Musa’ad added another in the 22nd minute, while Brazilian Victor Simoes sealed the win with a goal in the 38th minute.

The host’s goals came through Mubarak Al-Khudhari and Kamil Al-Mu’adhin.

Al-Ahli will meet Al-Fateh in the quarterfinals on Tuesday after the latter had won over Al-Ittifaq 3-1 Wednesday.

Fateh enters quarters

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Fateh qualified for the quarterfinals of the Crown Prince Cup after defeating Al-Ittifaq 3-1 in extra time at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium Wednesday.

Yousof Al-Salem of Ittifaq put his team in the lead seven minutes before the break. However, Rabea Al-Sofiyani of Fateh succeeded to level the score in the 58th minute to force extra time.

Faisal Al-Jam’an of Fateh scored from the spot in three minutes after the restart before his Tunisian teammate Naeem Bettayeb sealed the win in the 100th minute. However, Abdurrahman Al-Qahtani of Ittifaq failed to score from the spot two minutes later.

On Thursday, title holder Al-Hilal will host Al-Faisali at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in the round 16 of the championship while Al-Ra’id will play Al-Nasr at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Al-Qadisiyah hosts Al-Shabab at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium while Hajr host Al-Ahli at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports Stadium.

Saudia adds 66 flights for coming school holidays

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) will add 66 domestic and international flights to its operations schedule during the coming school spring break which starts Wednesday and lasts for ten days.

This was announced Tuesday by Abdullah Al-Ajhar, SAA’s Assistant Manager for Public Relations.
“We have added some 54 domestic flights and 12 international flights. We have also increased the seating capacity on 56 international flights from the Kingdom to Dubai, Beirut, Doha, Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh,” Al-Ajhar said.

He pointed out that the additional domestic flights will include 18 flights from Riyadh to Jeddah and back, 20 round trip flights from Abha to Riyadh, four flights from Jeddah to Dammam and back, four round trip flights from Riyadh to Madina and the same number of flights from the capital city to Najran and back.

As for the extra international flights, Ajhar said that four additional flights will fly to Kuwait, four flights to Dubai and four other flights to Beirut and back.

Al-Ajhar said that SAA has no specific peak season, as its year includes the school spring holidays, as well as the Haj, Umrah and summer seasons.

According Al-Ajhar, SAA is careful to take social ties into account when planning its operational programs. “We not only consider business when planning for our flights, we also consider the social issues that form Saudi society,” he said.

He added that this is why SAA has made more flights available during school holidays so that families can visit relatives in different parts of the Kingdom.

During the recently ended Haj season, SAA carried nearly one million pilgrims on more than 2,000 flights. The airline carried 457,000 pilgrims from Asia with 308,000 international pilgrims being flown directly to Madina.

Apart from that, SAA provided crew members who spoke a variety of languages and served different dishes to suit the tastes of pilgrims traveling to the Kingdom.

Prince Salman congratulates Al-Hilal

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh, received at his office Tuesday morning Prince Abdurrahman Bin Musa’ad, President of Al-Hilal Club, Prince Nawaf Bin Sa’ad, Deputy President of Al-Hilal and club’s players.

Al-Hilal was recently crowned the Zain Saudi Premier League champion after finishing on top of the standings. The delegation was accompanied by Abdurrahman Ghalib and Homoud Al-Ghubainy, representing the telecommunication company Mobily, the strategic partner of the league champion.

Prince Sultan Bin Fahd Bin Salman, honorary member of Al-Hilal graced the occasion. The Emir congratulated Al-Hilal administration and players for the achievement and wished them success. Prince Abdurrahman Bin Musa’ad offered a memorial shield to the Emir.

Warning against ‘dreadful’ spread of diabetes in Gulf

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – A researcher has warned against the “dreadful” spread of diabetes in the GCC states if countries fail to take immediate preventive measures.

According to Dr. Abdurrahman Al-Kuwari, head of the Gulf Group for the Study of Diabetes (GGSD), the GCC countries should urgently develop all the necessary programs and plans to impede what he called the “fastest spreading disease” in the region.

He pointed out that five GCC states are listed among the top ten countries in the world with the highest rate of diabetes.

He added that the risk factors in Gulf societies are high, especially in the pre-diabetes phase.

Identifying the reasons why the disease is increasing so rapidly in the world’s richest region, Dr. Al-Kuwari pointed to individual diet behavior.

He added that the modern lifestyle that has increasingly spread among Gulf citizens has also worsened the situation.

Additionally, Dr. Al-Kuwari pointed out that there are other factors that have exacerbated the problem. “The absence of national programs with clear visions and insufficient budgetary allocations are hindering plans for preventing the early detection of the disease,” he said.

He added that there is also an apparent shortage in the number of medical specialists to treat patients with diabetes. “Despite the fact that diabetes tops the strategies and priorities of the ministries of health in the Gulf states, it is marginalized when it comes to budget allocations,” he said.

Dr. Kuwari said statistics recorded in 2007 show that the disease affected 14 to 20 percent of the total Gulf population. “Despite the fact that diabetes is recognized as a major health problem in the GCC states, it is still on the rise, not only in adults but also in children and adolescents,” he said.
“Furthermore, type two diabetes is now appearing in younger age groups in which obesity is evident. All these factors demand improved measures to curb the human and economic burden of this chronic condition through prevention, proper care and effective management,” he added.

The GGSD, established in Qatar in 2000, is a nongovernmental group consisting of regional endocrinologists and physicians who are concerned about the increase in diabetic cases in the region. – SGFacts about diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. People can develop it at any age, but it is often diagnosed in later life and is commonly found in people who are overweight and do little exercise.

Signs and Symptoms

If you find yourself with any of the following symptoms, it is important you visit your doctor to get tested for diabetes:
1. Feeling tired
2. Frequent urination (especially at night)
3. Being very thirsty
4. Weight loss
5. Blurry eyesight
6. Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
7. Sores that heal slowly
8. Dry, itchy skin, and
9. Loss of feeling or feet tingling