Qarni and Sahlawi help Al-Nasr edge Al-Ittihad 2-1

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Nasr beat Al-Ittihad 2-1 in a match put off from the 8th round of the Zain Saudi Professional League championship here Sunday.

Abdullah Al-Qarni put Nasr in the lead, but Ahmed Hadeed leveled the score for Ittihad. Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, however, handed Nasr the edge with his goal.

Nasr is now fourth in the standings with 24 points, five behind third placed Ittihad. Al-Hilal is on top with 41 points, while Al-Shabab occupied the second spot on 35.

Defender Al-Qarni put Nasr one up through a header in the 30th minute on a perfect cross from skipper Husain Abdul-Ghani in the area.

The two teams went for break with Nasr leading 1-0 despite numerous efforts made by its opponent. Ittihad came from the break with Sultan Al-Numari replacing striker Abdul Aziz Al-Sabiyani. The Tigers showed a renewed vigor and threatened Al-Nasr goalkeeper, Khaled Radhi, more.

Ittihad’s Omani defender Ahmed Hadeed making the most of the opportunity angled Hicham Aboucherouane’s corner kick into the goal to put his team level at 1-1.

Mohammed Al-Sahlawi put Nasr back in front for good when he dodged past Ittihad keeper to put the ball in his net.

Ittihad’s Osama Al-Muallad made a couple of nice moves but was denied by Radhi’s alertness.

The dying minutes of the game saw two Ittihad players sinbinned. Hadeed was first to be sidelined after bringing down Figueroa in the 89th minute. Osama Al-Muallad was also sent off a minute later for aggressive tackle against Nasr’s SR33-million man Al-Sahlawi.

Shabab in final

Al-Shabab reached the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup final following a hard fought 3-2 win over Al-Fateh at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium Sunday.

An interesting goal four minutes into extra-time put Shabab in the final when Abdullah Al-Ostta hit the ball into Fateh’s goal after it bounced off the post on his spot kick.

Although Fateh ended the first half up 2-0, Shabab managed to level the score and send the game into extra-time.

Faisal Al-Jam’an had earlier put Fateh in the lead with his 30th minute strike. Rabe’a Al-Sofiyani helped double the lead ten minutes later. Shabab, however, bounced back to level the score through Ali Otaif and in the 50th minute and Abdul Aziz Al-Yousuf in the 64th.

Shabab will play the winner of Saturday’s encounter between Hilal and Ahli.

Al-Hilal increases lead to six points

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Hilal increased its lead at the top of Zain Saudi Professional League to six points after beating Al-Ahli 3-1 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh Thursday.

In other matches, Al-Wehdah routed its host Najran 5-0 at Al-Okhdoud Club Stadium, while Al-Ittifaq beat visitors Al-Ra’id 3-0 at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

Swedish striker Christian Wilhelmsson put Al-Hilal in the lead before Yasser Al-Qahtani doubled the lead. Al-Ahli striker Hussain Al-Rahib cut the lead but Thiago Neves scored again for Hilal to seal the win.

Both teams came into the match looking for an early goal. Hilal banked on its wingers, while Ahli depended on its strikers Malik Mo’adh and Javier Tulido. Hilal’s strategy worked when Wilhelmsson thumped Hasan Khairat’s cross into the goal in the 24th minute.

Wilhelmsson was replaced by Eissa Al-Muhayani through injury five minutes after the break. Wilhelmsson’s exit eased pressure on the Greens, who started attacking their opponents more often.

Hilal midfielder Thiago Neves hit a strong kick in the 68th minute, but Ahli goalkeeper Yasser Al-Mosayleem denied him. Neves’ corner kick found Yasser Al-Qahtani who put it into Ahli goal.

Ahli coach then brought in Hasan Al-Rahib for Tulido and Badr Al-Kharashi, former Hilal player, for Mohammed Al-Sifri to put pressure on Hilal. These substitutions resulted in a goal for the visitors when Hasan Al-Rahib succeeded in heading a cross into Deayea’s goal in the 77th minute.

Neves, however, succeeded in securing Hilal another goal in extra-time when Mosayleem failed to stop his strong shot from the left.

Hilal sits on top of the standings with 41 points, six ahead of runner-up Shabab on 35. Al-Ahli, with a match in hand, remains in the sixth place on 20 points. Ahli’s new Brazilian coach Sergio Farias joins the team Saturday.

Mohannad Aseeri scored a hat trick as Moroccan midfielder Rafiq Abdussamad and Salman Al-Balawi added a goal each for Wehdah, which routed Najran 5-0.

The victory added three points to the Reds total to take it to the fourth place with 23 points. The team still has two matches in hand. Najran, on the other hand, is in the bottom with seven points.

Ittihad routs Hazm to maintain 3rd position

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Host Al-Ittihad thrashed Al-Hazm 5-2 in a round 16 match of the Saudi Zain Professional League at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here Wednesday.

Al-Ittihad thus maintained its third position with 29 points while Hazm is eighth with 16 points. The two teams still have two suspended matches.

A hat trick by the Moroccan striker Hicham Aboucherouane and two goals by Sultan Al-Numari and Talal Al-Misha’al powered the champion to the impressive victory.

The goals of Hazm came from two midfielders, the Senegalese Hamad Ji and Ahmed Minawir.

Al-Nasr defeated its host Al-Qadisiyah 2-0 at Prince Saudi Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium.
The host played well in the beginning despite Sahlawi’s goal.
In the 24th minute, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, former player of Qadisiyah, received a cross from the

Argentinean midfielder Victor Alberto Figueroa. It only took Sahlawi a slide to put it into the goal.

From a free kick in the 52nd minute, skipper Husain Abdul-Ghani sent the ball to the closely-guarded Sahlawi who headed it into the goal.

Four minutes later, Al-Qadisiyah coach Daniel Carlos made two substitutions to strengthen his frontline in vain. On the other hand, Nasr coach Jorge da Silva replaced striker Sa’ad Al-Harthi with the South Korean midfielder Lee Chun-soo to add more balance to his team. He then replaced Sahlawi with another striker.

He also replaced Abdullah Mousa with Ibrahim Ghalib in the 91st minute.

Nasr is now fourth in the standings (21) with three matches in hand while Al-Qadisiyah is 10th with 11 points.

In another match, the ten-man Al-Fateh shared the spoils (2-2) with its host Al-Shabab, league runner-up, at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium.

Faisal Al-Sultan put Shabab in the lead in the sixth minute before Ahmed Bou-Obaid of the guest team leveled the score with a header ten minutes later.

Tunisian defender of the Al-Fateh, Ramzi Bin Younes put his team ahead in the 24th minute. About 13 minutes after the break, Fateh midfielder, Faisal Yousof was shown the red card.

Al-Sultan succeeded to equalize in the 91st minute for host team.

Shabab still trails leader Hilal (38) as second by three points. Al-Fateh is seventh (18).

Mystery fire engulfs students’ cars in Jeddah

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Mystery surrounds the causes of a fire which engulfed seven cars belonging to students at a school in the Al-Andalus District.

Qussay Ahmad was one of the students who lost his car in the fire. Other students were more fortunate. They managed to save their cars as they rushed out of the school at around 10.55 A.M. to the neighboring parking lot.

The lot can park as many as 50 cars. No one was injured in the incident but questions have now been raised about the possible causes of the fire, including rumors that it is linked to disputes among students.

Concerns have also been raised about the school’s accessibility to firefighters. Ahmad, a 10th grader, said he does not have any problems with any of his schoolmates. “Thank God, I and my schoolmates are safe,” he said.

Dr. Saleh Sarhan, the school’s principal, said that the possibility exists that this could be arson. He said that some students told him they had seen three students climbing the wall into the school. “This may indicate they are involved, but we should wait for a report from the Civil Defense investigators,” he said.

Sarhan added that one of the destroyed cars belongs to a student who had been assigned to organize the movement of students inside the school. However, he did not think that this created any hostility toward this student, he said.

Sarhan said that when he first heard of the fire, he immediately called the fire service and gave permission to open the main gate, so that other students could move their cars away. “We waited for more than 15 minutes for the firefighters to arrive to put out the fires that ruined those five cars,” he said.

Mohammed Saeed Al-Ghamdi, a lieutenant from the Civil Defense Department, who was present at the site, said that it was noticed that the front glass of one of the cars looked like it had been broken by a stone. “Investigations will tell everything later. They will also determine the angle of the stone that was thrown,” he added.

However, he emphasized that people could only speculate about the cause of the blaze at this stage. Investigators would determine the cause of the fire. “The three students who skipped their classes will be investigated.
They can perhaps lead us to the right conclusions,” he added.

With more than 700 students, the school is surrounded by villas, palaces and consulates. It is two hundred meters away from the King Fahd General Hospital, which is filled with cars. This makes the area difficult for firefighters to reach.

Shabab, Ahli,Hilal in semis

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Shabab, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal joined Al-Fateh in the semifinals of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup after they won over Al-Ansar, Al-Khaleej and Abha respectively Monday.

At Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Sports City in Madina, Al-Shabab beat its host Al-Ansar 2-0.

Ahmed Al-Ka’abi put Al-Shabab in the lead six minutes before the break. Naji Majrashi succeeded to score from the spot in the 59th minute to seal the win for the three-time title holder.

At Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Sports City in Qatteef, Al-Ahli defeated its host Al-Khaleej 3-2 in a 120-minute match.
Adel Sultan of Al-Khaleej put his team in the lead in the 16th minute. Badr Al-Kharashi equalized for Al-Ahli in the 37th minute before Hasan Al-Rahib’s header increased the margin. However, Mahmood Al-Sa’igh leveled the score in the 87th minute before Al-Kharashi sealed the win in the 98th minute.

In another match, Al-Hilal won over its host Abha 2-0 at Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium.
Ahmed Al-Suwayleh put his team in the lead after 28 minutes before a header by Hasan Khairat sealed the win for the Blues in the 64th minute.

Al-Fateh had already qualified for the semifinals defeating Al-Ta’awon 2-1 Sunday.

On Saturday, Al-Hilal will host Al-Ahli at King Fahd International Stadium and Al-Fateh will host title holder Al-Shabab at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City.

Princess Hissa awarded for her charity work

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Princess Hissa Al-Sha’alan, spouse of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was this week awarded a shield of recognition from the International Afro-Asian Writers Organization on her charity contributions.

Professor Hind Al-Khothaila, Secretary General of the National Charity Establishment for Health Care (NCEHC) received the award on behalf of the Princess at a ceremony held in Cairo. She also delivered her speech.
“It pleases me to thank you for your initiative to promote your message which reveals that the Arab woman can contribute effectively in her society, and produce promising generations,” Princess Hissa said in her speech that was delivered on her behalf by Professor Al-Khothaila.

She added that Arab woman is still in the initial stage to assert her productive position in the society as she is the second half of the society.
“The missing role of Arab woman goes back to centuries of ignorance. Thus, she felt the heavy weight, but with her determination, she has started on her way to overcome obstacles,” Princess Hissa said.

She added that the wise Arab leaderships have paved the way for Arab women to take their chances and become productive members of the society.
“Saudi woman is taking her chance to become creative. This is really an evidence on her interaction with her society and her ability to prove herself,” she said

According to Princess Hissa, Saudi women have achieved exceptional objectives in a record time. “We have highly efficient women who are physicians, engineers, teachers, academics, sociologists, envoys and lawyers. Before all of that, we have perfect mothers at homes and an honorable place in their societies,” the Princess added.

She highlighted the charity contributions of Saudi women revealing that some 600 multi-purpose charity establishments in Saudi Arabia have been set up by women.
“With distinctive and high quality services, the National Charity Establishment for Health Care is an example on charity works in the Kingdom,” she said.

Commenting on the award, Dr. Intisar Felemban, director of the international organization in Saudi Arabia, said that the Princess’s educational and health development efforts are remarkable.
“She has sponsored many charity activities everywhere. The NCEHC, established in 1998, is an example on her humanitarian works,” Felemban said.

The NCEHC, she said, cares for the patients with chronic diseases, irrespective of religion and nationality.
“The NCEHC provides home health care and is the first of its kind in both Asia and Africa. Globally, it is the fourth establishment that provides home medical care to the patients,” Felemban added.

She revealed that the NCEHC has helped more than 30,000 patients. This has surely, she said, reduced pressure on hospitals.

Prince Mit’eb to take part in Dubai show-jumping

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Prince Abdullah Bin Mit’eb Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will represent Saudi Arabia in the International Show-Jumping Championship that kicks off at Bab Al-Shams Club in Dubai on Jan. 7.

The three-day tournament is expected to witness keen duels as the tournament is classified as one of the Arab League Equestrian events that qualifies winners to participate in the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) World Cup 2010.

Prince Abdullah Bin Mit’eb announced that he is banking on his horses (Mobily Al-Rayan, Mobily Al-Saudiah, Mobily Lilmajd and Mobily Allah Jabak) to compete in the six-round tournament.

Prince Abdullah is on the top of the table of the Arab League with 69 points after his successful performances in Damascus and Doha respectively.

Participants of Dubai event are Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Lebanon and Syria.
Prince Abdullah Bin Mit’eb, Mobily’s strategic partner, has won many laurels for Saudi Arabia.

Inter beats Hilal 1-0

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Italian League leader Inter Milan beat Al-Hilal 1-0 in a friendly match marking the retirement of former Saudi international Nawaf Al-Timyat in Riyadh Saturday.

A late Diego Milito goal proved enough for the night. Both teams, playing with 5-4-1 formation, started with their key players. Hilal looked confident making several attacks on the visitor’s goal. Hilal’s Swedish striker Christian Wilhelmsson disturbed the Inter defense more than once.

Nawaf Al-Timyat also put on a good show. His 21st minute kick from outside the area went wide.

On the other hand, neither Samuel Eto’o nor his teammates threatened Al-Deayea’s goal in the first half.

Inter threatened Hilal more often after the break. At least three real chances were foiled by substitute keeper Hasan Al-Otaibi. Most dangerous of these was Barwuah Balotelli’s kick, from close to the spot kick area, which Otaibi managed to convert into a corner in the 47th minute.

Balotelli came face to face with Otaibi again in the 71st minute, but the keeper won the contest. Soon after a Balotelli header missed the bar.

Al-Timyat was replaced in the 55th minute by his Romanian teammate midfielder Meriel Radoi. He was seen off warmly by the players and the fans.

Argentinean Diego Milito scored for Inter Milan in the 85th minute after Majid Al-Marshadi failed to control a cross. The striker dribbled past defenders before putting the ball in the Hilal net.

Hilal pressed the visitors after the goal and Radoi almost scored the equalizer from a foul kick, which the keeper saved.

During the break, Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, and his Deputy Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal presented memorial shields to Timyat.
“Al-Timyat is a special player of good conduct. He has served Al-Hilal and the national team well and I wish him the best,” Prince Sultan said.

Timyat thanked Prince Sultan and Prince Nawaf for their support to Saudi sportsmen.

Crown Prince Cup

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

On behalf of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, awarding a car key to a winner of one of the races of the Crown Prince’s International Cup for Horse Endurance Race, which was organized by the Saudi Equestrian Federation at Al-Masara International Center in Taif. Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd, Vice Chairman of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW), Prince Abdullah Bin Fahd Bin Abdullah, Deputy President of the Saudi Equestrian Federation (SEF), and Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Bin Mu’amar, Governor of Taif. This race was held in connection with the safe return of the Crown Prince after treatment.

Inter Milan to take on Al-Hilal today

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Hilal Club will play the Italian League leader Inter Milan at King Fahd International Stadium in a farewell match for the retiring Saudi International Nawaf Al-Timyat Saturday.

Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh Region, Prince Sultan Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) and Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal, Vice President of the GPYW will grace the occasion.

On Friday night, the full squad of Inter Milan arrived at the King Khaled International Airport and was received by Prince Nawaf Bin Mohammed, Head of the Farewell Match’s Organizing Committee.
“This is my first visit to Saudi Arabia and we look forward to the match,” Jose Mourinho, coach of the Italian team said upon his arrival.

Al-Timyat started his career in 1998. He has played 55 international matches with the national team. He has won awards for Asian Player of the Year, Arab Player of the Year and Saudi Player of the Year in the year 2000. He played for the Saudi national team in three World Cup Finals in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Shabab drops points

League runner-up Al-Shabab lost two important points after it shared two goals with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Zain Professional League at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Friday.

Ahmed Otaif put Al-Shabab in the lead before Homoud Abbas equalized for Al-Ahli.
Shabab thus spoiled a chance to close in on league leader Al-Hilal which has 38 points. Shabab stays second with 34 points. Al-Ahli is fifth with 20 points.

With a 3-2 victory, title holder, Al-Ittihad collected three important points from Najran at Al-Okhdoud Club Stadium.
Sultan Al-Numari scored first for Ittihad in the 35th minute. Ten minutes after the break, Abdul Aziz Al-Sabiyani increased the margin for the guests. Four minutes later, Al-Ittihad former player Al-Hasan Al-Yami scored the first goal for Najran before his teammate Anas Bin Yaseen leveled the score from the spot in the 65th minute. Talal Al-Mish’al sealed the win for Al-Ittihad two minutes before the final whistle.

With two matches in hand, Ittihad is third in the standings with 26 points while Najran is last with seven points.

At King Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium, ten-man Al-Wehdah defeated its host Al-Qadisyyah 2-1.
Al-Hazm shared two goals with its host Al-Ra’id.

The host scored first through Abdul Majeed Al-Ruwaily in the 73rd minute before Waleed Al-Jaizani leveled the score from the spot in the 86th minute. Hazm is now in the eighth place with 16 points while Al-Ra’id is 11th with seven points.

In the Eastern Province, Al-Ittifaq defeated its host Al-Fateh 3-0 at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sport City Stadium.

Hamza Idrees hangs up his boots

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Saudi international footballer Hamza Idrees hung up his boots Wednesday at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in a friendly match against Juventus which was graced by Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd, Vice Chairman, General President of Youth Welfare (GPYW).

The match ended 2-2 and witnessed a below-par performance by both teams. All the goals came in the first half. Some of ex-players of Al-Ittihad also took part in their friend’s last match. Idrees was known for crucial goals.

His fans call him “The Thunder” for his great goals.
“I am very proud of you. Your support has been the real fuel for me as a player,” Idrees, told the fans, who came five hours before the match.

During the break, memorial shields and gifts were offered to Idrees. Prince Nawaf offered Idrees a gift on behalf of Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, President of the GPYW. He also gave Idrees a personal gift. The teammates of the retired player also presented him with the key of a luxury car. Idrees presented his jersey (No. 9) to team’s new striker Naif Hazzazi.

In the 55th minute, Idrees left the field to end his 17 years of his career. He has represented the Saudi national team in more than 70 matches and has scored 30 goals.

Idrees started playing football in his neighborhood in Madina when he was only 11. He played for a local team as goalkeeper.

Idrees first joined his first team Ohud for SR5,000 when he was 14 years old. He represented Ohud at the age of 16. Five years later, he moved to Al-Ittihad on a SR5-million deal.

On Saturday, Al-Hilal will meet Inter Milan in Riyadh on the ocassion of the retirement of another Saudi international Nawaf Al-Timiyat.

TVTC workers’ help to flood-hit appreciated

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, has sent a letter of appreciation to Dr. Ali Bin Nasser Al-Ghufais, Governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), for the efforts the corporation’s Jeddah centers have made in the renovation of flood-damaged houses.

Some 350 TVTC workers are working on a free face-lift program to help flood-hit residents repair their homes.

Dr. Al-Ghufais expressed his gratitude to Prince Khaled for his gesture and affirmed that the institution would continue its efforts until all damaged houses are rebuilt.
“Since the disaster first occurred, we have been keen to lend a hand to the distressed people,” Al-Ghufais said.

He added that TVTC workers have completely repaired 244 residential units so far.
“Our home maintenance program is being carried out by TVTC experts in all fields, such as carpentry, refrigeration, welding, electricity and painting. We have also made all the required raw material available for workers to ensure continuous work and better service,” he said.

He added that an emergency center has been located near Abraq Al-Reghama, east of the Haramain Road, to receive requests from the owners of damaged houses.

According to Al-Ghufais, the center receives house maintenance applications day and night seven days a week.

Al-Shabab, Al-Khaleej and Al-Ansar make quarters

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Shabab, Al-Khaleej, Al-Ansar and Al-Ta’awon qualified Saturday for the quarterfinals of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup after defeating Al-Hilal, Hejr, Al-Wehdah and Al-Faisali, respectively.

In Group A, title holder Shabab beat Al-Hilal 2-0 to finish at the top of Group A with 22 points. Hilal had earlier qualified after securing 20 points.

Faisal Al-Sultan put Shabab in the lead in the sixth minute and then Abdul Aziz Al-Yousuf sealed the win in the 67th minute.

In the same group, Shua’lah beat its rival Al-Nasr 3-0 at Al-Shua’lah Club Stadium.

At Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al-Khaleej downed its Group B host Hejr 2-0 to move second in the group thereby securing a passage to the next round with a one-goal difference over Al-Ittifaq. Both teams had 17 points.

Al-Fateh sits on top of the group with 21 points. It beat Al-Adalah 3-1.
Husain Al-Turki scored for Khaleej in the fourth minute before Mahmoud Al-Sa’igh sealed the win 15 minutes later.

In the same group, Al-Ittifaq defeated Al-Qadasiya 2-0. The first goal came through Saleh Basheer before Hamad Al-Hamad sealed the win from the spot.

In Group C, Al-Ansar beat Al-Wehdah 1-0 to qualify as the second team from the group with a two-goal difference over Al-Ta’ee (second in group D).

The two second-placed teams have 13 points each.

In the same group, Al-Ittihad defeated its host Ohud 2-0.

In group D, Al-Ta’awon succeeded in advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating Al-Faisal 3-1 at Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Sports City in Al-Majma’a.

In a group E encounter, Abha shared the spoils 1-1 with its host Najran at the Al-Okhdoud Club Stadium. With that draw, Abha qualified for the quarterfinals with 12 points. The rules of the competition indicate that only one team should qualify from this group.
In the same group, Dhamak and Hitteen played a goalless draw at Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Stadium.

At Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Musa’ad Bin Jalawi Stadium in Hail, Al-Ta’ee defeated the visiting team Al-Hazm 3-1. However, both group D teams left the competition.

At Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Stadium, host Riyadh defeated Al-Watani 2-1. These two also left the competition.

The teams which have qualified for the quarterfinals are: Group A: Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal; Group B: Al-Fateh and Al-Khaleej; Group C: Al-Ahli and Al-Ansar; Group D: Al-Ta’awon; Group E: Abha.

Ahli signs Farias as coach

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Ahli Club has signed an 18-month contract with Sergio Ricardo de Pavia Farias who left the Asian champion Pohang Steelers to take up the post.

Al-Ahli is fourth in the Zain Saudi Professional League with 19 points. The 43-year-old new coach is expected to help Ahli’s title hopes alive, besides preparing it for the Asian Championship.

Farias had led Pohang to the Asian Champions League title in November after defeating Al-Ittihad in the final. He then took the club to the third place at the FIFA Club World Cup that was held in Abu Dhabi recently.

According to the Asian Football Confederation website, Farias put pen to paper in Jeddah Friday and will take control of the team in January.

The Brazilian will be tasked with securing success for Ahli at the 2010 Asian Champions League where it is grouped with Qatar’s Al-Gharafa, UAE’s Al-Jazira and Iranian champion Esteghlal.

Ahli also announced signing another contract with Tunisian defender Salahuddin Ghazal.

Coming from the Swedish BSC Young Boys, the 29-year-old Ghazal is known for his physical strength and high jump.

Ahli administration added that it will soon finalize a contract with a new playmaker who will replace the Argentinian midfielder Sebastian.

Shabab beats Nasr, sits 2nd in standings

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Runner-up Al-Shabab continued chasing the Zain Saudi Professional League leader Al-Hilal after defeating nine-man Al-Nasr 3-2 at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh Friday.

Striker Nasser Al-Shamrani put Al-Shabab in the lead just before the break. Argentinean midfielder Victor Alberto Figueroa equalized for Nasr after the break, but Abdullah Shuhail put Shabab one up only for Nasr’s Figueroa to level the game again. Abdullah Al-Ostta, however, gave Shabab the winning goal in the 67th minute.

Shabab is second in the standings with 33 points, five behind Al-Hilal. On the other hand, Nasr is seventh with 15 points.

Although Shabab played without two of its key players - Tariq Al-Ta’ib and Marcelo Ramiro Camacho - the team succeeded in securing all the three points from the encounter.

Nasr keeper Khaled Radhi was sin-binned for bringing down Naji Majrashi on the line of the box in the fifth minute. Abdu Barnawi was then replaced with the second keeper, Abdullah Al-Enezi.

Shabab, however, succeeded in securing a goal only in the 47th minute when Nasser Al-Shamrani headed an Abdullah Shuhail cross into the goal.

Two minutes after the break, Nasr’s Figueroa dribbled through three defenders to put the ball in the right corner of Shabab keeper Waleed Abdullah to level the score at 1-1.

Shuhail put Shabab back in the front when he deceived the keeper to put the ball in the top right corner of the goal.

Figueroa equalized the score once again in the 67th minute when he dribbled past two defenders to kick the ball in the left bottom of the goal.

A minute after the goal, Abdullah Al-Ostta put Shabab ahead for good when he headed the ball into the empty goal after Al-Enezi had left the goal in an attempt to save the situation.

In the other match of the day Al-Ittifaq played out a goalless match against 10-man guest team Al-Ahli at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

The drawn game concluded the 14th round of the league leaving Al-Ahli in the fourth place in the standings while Al-Ittifaq sits 10th with 10 points.

The next round will kick off Thursday with three encounters - Hilal vs. Nasr; Al-Ahli vs. Shabab; and Fateh vs. Ittifaq.

Al-Hilal beats Al-Wehda despite a ‘goal’ being declared void

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Hilal increased its lead at the top of the Zain Saudi Professional League standings beating Al-Wehda 3-1 despite a goal being declared void at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium Thursday afternoon.

The match was moved in the afternoon due to the cold weather the Central Region is experiencing these days.

Yasser Al-Qahtani put Al-Hilal in the lead in the 22nd minute while Mohammed Al-Shalhoub, the league’s top scorer with 10 goals, doubled the lead in the 63rd minute. Both goals came through cross passes by the Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson, who has renewed his contract with Al-Hilal for another two seasons.

Muhanned Aseeri scored the visitors’ lone goal in the 78th minute. Thiago Neves, however, sealed the win from the spot in the 89th minute after Wehda defender Majid Bilal had brought down Wilhelmsson in the area.

Hilal President, Prince Abdurrahman Bin Musa’ad, said after the match that they will ask the General Presidency of Youth Welfare to depute foreign referees for the remaining matches.

The demand came after referee Abdurrahman Al-Amri, depending on a signal from the linesman Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, declared Wilhelmsson’s “goal” void.
Wilhelmsson had kicked the ball from inside the area. His ball hit the bar and fell behind the goal line before bouncing back to the bar and falling in front of the goal line. It was not declared a goal.

Commenting on the incident in an interview with a TV channel, Abdul-Moa’tti Kaki, Al-Wehda president, said the goal should have stood. Though, he claimed that Hilal’s first goal should not have been a goal since Qahtani was offside. He also suspected the accuracy of the referee’s decision on Hilal penalty kick.

Hilal sits on top of the standings with 38 points, eight ahead of runner-up Al-Shabab. Al-Wehdah remains fifth on 17 points.

Hazm beat Al-Fateh 2-1 at Al-Hazm Club Stadium in Al-Russ city in the other afternoon encounter.

Salahuddin Eqal put Hazm in front four minutes after the break. Al-Hazm goalkeeper Saeed Al-Harbi then saved his team from a certain goal when he blocked a penalty taken by Tunisian defender Ramzi Younos in the 55th minute.

The five-minute extra time witnessed two goals. Yahiya Majrashi first scored for Al-Hazm in the 91st minute, while Al-Fateh’s Emanuel scored from the spot seconds before time.

The winner is eighth in standings with 15 points, while Al-Fateh is sixth with 17 points.

Champion Al-Ittihad beat Al-Raed 3-2 at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. Amine Chermiti put Ittihad in front in the 17th minute before his teammate Hicham Aboucherouane doubled the lead six minutes later.

The Malian striker of the guest team, Javier About, helped decrease the lead in the 66th minute before Mousa Al-Shammari leveled the score from the spot in the 78th minute. However, it was only one minute later that Chermiti sealed the win for Ittihad.

Al-Ittihad is third on 23 points, while Al-Raed remains in the bottom with six points.

In another match, Al-Qadasiya edged 1-0 over its guest Najran at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium.

Sultan Al-Yami scored the only goal of the game in the second minute of the encounter that was marked by 10 yellow cards - five for each team.
Al-Qadasiya is 9th on 11 points, while Najran is 11th on seven.

Owairan strike 3rd among top 10 Cup goals

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW), received Monday in his office in Riyadh the former Saudi national football player Saeed Al-Owairan who earned the distinction of scoring one of the top 10 great goals in World Cup Finals.

The Telegraph and World Soccer Magazine, which teamed up to find out the greatest goals of World Cup Finals, have recorded Owairan’s goal against Belgium in the first round of World Cup 1994 at the RFK stadium as the third best.

The Daily Telegraph said in its report that despite the exit in the second round Saudis left the USA World Cup with their heads high due to that strike of Al-Owairan – which earned him the nickname “The Maradona of the Arabs”. However, the real Maradona’s goal against England in 1986 came first. The second was again by Maradona in the same ‘86 World Cup against Belgium.

After losing the opener 2-1 to Holland Saudi Arabia beat Morocco by the same score and needed just a draw against Belgium to ensure qualification for the second round.

But Saudis did better. Just five minutes after the kick-off Owairan took possession deep inside the Saudi half, looked up and dribbled the ball forward and Belgians fell back, waiting for him to pass the ball. Owairan, instead, continued his way towards the goal and fired past goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme.

Owairan scored 24 goals in 50 international appearances and was also a member of the Saudi squad at the 1998 World Cup.

Prince Sultan congratulated Owairan and also offered prize money for what he has contributed to the Saudi sports.

The meeting was also attended by Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal, Deputy President of the GPYW.

Al-Hilal 5 points clear at the top

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Hilal increased its lead in the Saudi Zain Professional League after defeating host Najran 2-1 at the conclusion of Round 13 at Al-Okhdoud Club Stadium Sunday.

The 37-year-old striker Al-Hasan Al-Yami scored an early goal for Najran in the 8th minute. Yami dribbled into the box before kicking into the right corner of goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea.

Al-Hilal’s Romanian midfielder Meriel Radoi shot from outside the box in the 24th minute to level the score. Hilal coach Gerets noticed the ineffectiveness of his striker Eisa Al-Muhiyyani and replaced him with Nawaf Al-Abed in the 38th minute. The two teams ended the first half with one goal each.

In the 87th minute, South Korean defender, Young Lee sent a perfect cross to Al-Abed who headed into the goal.

Al-Hilal is now on top of the standing with five points clear of runner-up Al-Shabab. Najran is 11th with seven points.

Al-Shabab shared two goals with its host Al-Wehdah at King Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium.

Shabab thus lost two important points, missing the chance to catch the leader Al-Hilal.

Libyan midfielder Tariq Al-Ta’ib scored for the guest in the 76th minute. While the Wehdah supporters were about to leave their seats, their Moroccan midfielder Rafiq Abdul-Samad scored an equalizer in the 90th minute.

After this draw, Al-Shabab is second on the table with 30 points while Al-Wehdah is fifth with 17.

In another match, a goal by Rayyan Bilal gave Al-Nasr three points from its encounter against Al-Ittifaq at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium.

The two teams started the match cautiously. However, they were not lucky enough to score.

The best chance for the guest came when Yahiya Al-Shihri entered the box and kicked toward the goal, but the ball hit the bar.

Al-Nasr performance improved and its players started attacking the goal. Midfielder Khaled Al-Zaila’ee came from the right side to send a cross into the box where Bilal escaped the defenders to head in to the goal from a gliding position.

Al-Nasr is seventh on the standing with 15 points while Ittifaq is 12th with nine points.

Saudia’s Abha-Cairo flights in two weeks

Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) direct flights from Abha to Cairo and back will start in two weeks, it was announced here Friday.

According to Saeed Al-Furayeh, General Manager for Passenger Services and Sales in the Southern region, the new air route connecting Abha regional airport directly to Cairo airport and back will be made operational starting from the beginning of the new year.

Earlier in May, Khaled Al-Mohlem, SAA Director General, said the route would enable people in the Asir region and neighboring areas to travel easily to Egypt and to receive travelers from there.

The region’s general manager added that there will be four direct air flights to and from Cairo. “Passengers can choose to travel to Cairo from Abha airport on either Thursdays or Sundays of every week at 8.30 A.M.,” he said.

He added that there would be two more flights from Cairo International Airport to Abha regional Airport on the same days but at different times. “Cairo flights will arrive in Abha at 11.15 P.M. on Thursdays and Sundays,” he said.

Al-Furayeh pointed out that SAA noticed the increasing demand for flights on that air route. Thus, it decided to increase its flights to 35 during the period June to October this year.
“These flights have transported about 7,242 passengers. They have helped us offer better services to both citizens and residents of the Asir region and its neighboring areas,” Al-Furayeh said.
According to Al-Furayeh, Abha airport achieved an increase in the number of its passengers during the period January to November 2009 registering a seven percent increase compared to the same period in 2008.

Ashour bags title

Photo caption: The new title holder, Ramy Ashour.

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – A new Egyptian squash era started Friday night when the 22-year-old Ramy Ashour won over England’s Nick Matthew in the final of the Saudi International Squash Tournament at the Sunset Beach in Al-Khobar.

Ashour clinched the PSA World Tour Super Series title after defeating England’s third seed Nick Matthew in a dramatic 110-minute final. The 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 win ensured that Ashour would also become No. 1 in the PSA world rankings in January 2010 for the first time.

According to Alex Gough, Professional Squash Association (PSA) CEO the match was the most incredible and most tense he has seen in a long time.
Both Ashour and Matthew were eyeing up the winner’s check of $37,400 and the next world No. 1 ranking.

After Ashour took the first game, Matthew came back in the second after winning five points in a row from 6-7 down.
Ashour led through most of the third, but Matthew saved two games balls from 8-10 down after two sensational rallies before the pressure got to him as he made a costly error to give Ashour a confidence-boosting 2/1 lead.

The young Ashour scored six quick points in the fourth to reach 8-4 and just three points from the title, seemed in control.

Playing his best squash of the match, Matthew refused to give up and dug deep to claim the next seven points in succession to force a decider.

Incredibly, again Ashour moved ahead to 8-4 in the fifth game and again Matthew mounted a rear-guard action to reduce the deficit, winning the eighth point after sending Ashour scurrying to the back corner where he slipped and hit the glass wall of the court, after which he asked for a three-minute injury break.

He was back in less than three minutes to take the next two points to seal his longest-ever, historic victory.

After the match, Ashour said that he and Matthew have played well.
He also confessed that the match was probably his career’s toughest match.

Ahli prevails over Hazm to regain 4th place in Zain League

By Mohammed Al-Kinani


JEDDAH – Al-Ahli regained the fourth place of the Saudi Zain Professional League after defeating its guest Al-Hazm 2-1 in a Round 13 match at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Saturday.

The Argentine striker Javier Tulido put the host in the lead early, before Waleed Al-Jaizani equalized from the spot. Tulido sealed the win when he converted a controversial penalty.

Al-Ahli started pressing from the beginning and skipper Mohammed Mus’ad sent a cross to Tulido who headed the ball into the goal before goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Harbi, who moved from his position, could reach it.

In the 37th minute, Al-Ahli defender’s hand-ball led to a penalty kick for Al-Hazm. Al-Jaizani shot the ball into the right corner of Al-Ahli goalkeeper Yasser Al-Mosaylem.

In the second half, the two teams missed a number of opportunities to score. In the 67th minute, Tulido succeeded to score from the spot. The winner is now fourth with 18 points while Al-Hazm is eighth (12).

A late goal by Sultan Al-Numari made title holder Al-Ittihad share the spoils 3-3 with its host Al-Qadisyyah at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium.

Ali Al-Shihri put Al-Qadisyyah in the lead when he kicked strongly from outside the box in the 15th minute. Eight minutes later, Argentine striker equalized for Al-Ittihad when he scored from a foul kick.

Host’s Julian Cominges headed in off a corner kick in the 38th minute. The first half ended 2-1 in favor of Al-Qadisyyah.

In the 71 minute, Hamad Al-Muntashiri’s kick from outside the area was going out, but Amine Al-Chermiti managed to deflect it into the goal.

In the 81st minute, Al-Ittihad defender Rashed Al-Raheeb brought down host’s Mubarak Al-Asmari.
The referee immediately pointed to the spot and sent Al-Raheeb out. Cominges put the ball into the right corner of Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Tayseer Al-Nutaif.

However, Cominges soon saw the red card and Al-Ittihad was given a penalty kick. Al-Qadisyyah goalkeeper Fahd Al-Shammari blocked the careless kick of skipper Mohammed Noor.
A minute later, Al-Numari saved the situation for Al-Ittihad when he kicked from outside the area. His shot deceived the goalkeeper when it hit one of Al-Qadisyyah defenders and into the goal.

With this draw, Al-Ittihad is still third with 20 points while Al-Qadisyyah is tenth (8).

In another match, Al-Fateh defeated its guest Al-Ra’id 2-0 at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium.

The two goals came late through Ahmed Bu-Obaid who scored from the spot in the 85th minute before Emmanuel sealed the win in the 92nd minute.

Al-Fateh is now fifth with 17 points while Al-Ra’id is in the bottom of the standing with six points.

It’s Matthew vs. Ashour

Photo caption: The 22-year-old Egyptian squasher, Ramy Ashour.

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – England’s Nick Matthew and Egypt’s Ramy Ashour Thursday entered the final of the Saudi International Squash Tournament at the Sunset Beach in Al-Khobar.

Besides the cash prize that either Ashour or Matthew will be awarded, the winner will become No. 1 in the first PSA world rankings of 2010.

Nick Matthew, the first Englishman to make the Saudi final, reached the 30th PSA Tour final of his career when he beat England teammate Adrian Grant 11-3, 3-11, 11-6, 11-7 in the first semifinal. Despite suffering from food poisoning, left-handed Londoner Grant – competing in his first Super Series semi – extended third seed Matthew for 61 minutes.

Top seed Ramy Ashour was in sensational form in the second semifinal, where he fought back in the second game to beat experienced Australian David Palmer, the 33-year-old fourth seed, 11-8, 14-12, 11-3 in 38 minutes. Palmer has appeared four times in the Saudi semifinals and was bidding to make the final for the first time.

Ashour said that the tournament is the biggest event, the biggest prize money and it is the biggest in everything.

Describing the final match, the Egyptian said it is going to be the most important match for him and believed that it is of the same importance to Nick Matthew. He added that the only thing he could do is that he does his best.

Ashour pointed out that it was in his mind that his opponent Palmer was older and more experienced that he himself was, but he also trusted his fitness energetic performance.

The Saudi International is celebrating its fifth year as one of the leading events on the PSA World Tour – and for the fifth time, the winner will go on to top the world rankings.

The final will be Ashour and Matthew’s eighth career PSA World Tour clash. It will also be the pair’s third final meeting this year, and only eight days after Ashour clinched victory in the climax of the PSA Masters in India. Ashour currently boasts a 4-3 lead, but it was Matthew who prevailed when they last met in Saudi Arabia, in the quarterfinals in December 2008.

Big guns reach last 4 at Khobar squash event

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Ramy Ashour of Egypt reached the semifinals of the Saudi International Squash Championship after beating compatriot Mohammed El-Shorbagy 11-3, 12-10, 11-3 in Khobar Wednesday.

The win put Ashour in a tough confrontation against Australian David Palmer, who advanced beating Thierry Lincou of France 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5.

Ashour, the 22-year-old Egyptian who arrived here following his PSA Masters victory in Mumbai, had overcame his older brother Hisham Ashour, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5, in the first round before defeating Alister Walker of England 12-10, 11-8, 11-5 in the next round.

The Australian Palmer had beaten compatriot Cameron Pilley 11-5, 10-12, 3-11, 11-1, 11-3 in his first round encounter. He then overcame his countryman Stewart Boswell 11-4, 11-9, 11-5.

Elsewhere Adrian Grant (ENG) beat Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 13-11 to qualify for the semifinals. Grant will now take on his countryman Nick Matthew in a clash which will guarantee the first English finalist in the five-year history of the Saudi championship.

Grant had earlier won his encounter against Amr Swelim (ITA) 11-8, 11-5, 11-2 to set up a meeting against Pakistan’s Farhan Mehboob, a nephew of the legendary Jansher Khan. Grant beat Mehboob 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7.

Englishman Nick Mathew also qualified for the semifinals beating Wa’il El-Hindi 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9.
Mathew had won his first-round encounter against Omar Musa’ad (EGY) 11-6, 11-2, 8-11, 11-2 before knocking out compatriot James Willstrop 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9.

Matthew continues unbeaten run

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – England’s Nick Matthew continued his unbeaten Tour run against James Willstrop to four wins over two years when he beat his compatriot to reach the quarterfinals of the $250,000 PSA World Tour Super Series Squash Championship in Saudi Arabia – the final major event of the year at Sunset Beach in Al-Khobar.

It was a tense and tough encounter. Third seed Matthew took the first two games but fellow Willstrop, the No. 9 seed who is only two places lower in the world rankings, fought back to take the third.
But Matthew regrouped in the fourth to win at 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9.

The 29-year-old from Sheffield is on course to become world No. 1 for the first time in the January rankings – but must reach the semifinals and stay ahead of his only rival Ramy Ashour, the 22-year-old Egyptian who beat him in last week’s PSA Masters final in India.

Matthew will now face seventh seed Wa’el El Hindi for a place in the semifinals after the Egyptian beat English qualifier Jonathan Kemp 11-7, 11-9, 11-2.

There were mixed fortunes for Englishmen in the earlier second round matches: Eighth seed Adrian Grant was extended for 71 minutes by Pakistan’s 14th seed Farhan Mehboob before beating his fellow left-hander 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7.

Meanwhile qualifier Joey Barrington was unable to take advantage of his surprise place in the last 16 after the mid-match retirement of second seed Amr Shabana in the their first round clash. Aamir Atlas Khan, the 15th seed from Pakistan, was too strong for the 29-year-old from Somerset, winning 11-2, 11-4, 11-8 in just 30 minutes.

According to Ziyad Al-Turki, Head of the Professional Squash Association PSA, Saudi Arabia is organizing the international competition for the fifth time.
“The professional organization has given Saudi Arabia the right to host the coming Squash World Championship 2010,” he said. He also said that the goal of organizing such events is not only to hold international championships, but also to spread the game in the Kingdom through junior players.
“We also aim to enhance the skills of the Saudi referees through training courses on the sidelines of the tournament,” he added.
Second round results: Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Joey Barrington (ENG) 11-2, 11-4, 11-8; Adrian Grant (ENG) bt Farhan Mehboob (PAK) 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7; Nick Matthew (ENG) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9; Wael El Hindi (EGY) bt Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-7, 11-9, 11-2.

Shabab three points behind leader Hilal

By Mohammed Al-Kinani


JEDDAH – Al-Shabab continued chasing the Zain Saudi Professional League leader with a 1-0 win over Najran at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium Wednesday.

Striker Nasser Al-Shamrani scored the lone goal to help Shabab increase its tally to 29 points, three behind leader Al-Hilal.

The Libyan midfielder Tariq Al-Ta’ib passed the ball behind the defenders to the advancing Al-Shamrani who kicked it over the goalkeeper, Jaber Al-Amery, in the 18th minute.

Although Shabab dominated the match, it failed to increase the lead since Najran keeper was also at his best.

Najran performance improved in the last 10 minutes but its players could not change the result. Najran sits 10th in the league standing with seven points. The team has a difficult match against Hilal, whose coach Eric Gerets was present at the match taking notes.

In another match at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, Al-Wehdah beat ten-man Al-Ittifaq 3-1 to remove Al-Ahli from the fourth place.

Squash event kicks off in Khobar

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Pakistan’s Aamir Atlas beat his Indian rival Saurav Ghosal 11-5, 11-9 and 11-4 in the first day of action at the Fifth Saudi International Squash Tournament in Khobar Sunday.

On behalf of Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of the Western Province, Zarib Bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, Assistant Governor of the Western Province, inaugurated the event earlier in the day.
There were no surprises on the day as the classified players have been given bye to the round of 16.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the international 7-day event that will conclude on Friday. 32 players from 11 countries are taking place in the $250.000-prize tournament

The events of the first day witnessed no surprises since the international classified players qualified to the 16th round.
The results are as follows:

The Pakistani Aamir Atlas Khan won over the Indian $11-5, 11-9 and 11-4.

Adrian Grant, from England defeated the Italian Amr Swelim 11-8, 11-5 and 11-2.

The Pakistani Farhan Mahboub won his match against the French Steve Jaliven 11-5, 11-0 and 11-0.

Nick Mathew, from England, classified third in the competition, defeated the Egyptian Omar Mas’ad 11-6, 11-2, 8-11 and 11-2.

James Willstrop, England, defeated Olli Tuominen, Finland, 11-7, 11-5 and 11-3.

The Egyptian Wa’il Al-Hindi defeated the Italian Davide Bianchetti 11-4, 10-12, 12-10 and 11-0.

Jonathan Kemp, England won over Laurens Jan Anjema of Holland 11-6, 5-11, 11-7 and 11-3.

The Malaysian Ong Pong Hee defeated the Australian Aaron Frankcomb 11-4, 11-7, and 11-6.

Thierry Lincou, French won over the Egyptian Mohammed Ali Anwar 9-11, 11-3, 11-6 and 11-0.

The Australian Stewart Boswell defeated the English player Tom Richard 11-4, 11-9, 6-11 and 11-5.

David Palmer of Australia beat compatriot Cameron Pilley 11-5, 10-12, 3-11, 11-1 and 11-3.

Peter Parker of England won over the Saudi player Naif Abu Raqqah 11-6, 11-7 and 11-9.

Mohammed Al-Shorbagy of Egypt won over the South African Stephen Coppinger 11-4, 11-2 and 11-7.

Alister Walker of England defeated his compatriot Daryl Selby 11-4, 11-5 and 11-5.

The Egyptian Ramy Ashour, classified first in the tournament, defeated his fellow citizen Hisham Ashour 11-8, 11-5 and 11-5.

The English Joey Barrington won his encounter against his Egyptian opponent, Amr Shabana, who is classified second in the tournament. Shabana withdrew due to back injury.

Hilal in quarters

By Mohammed Al-KinaniSaudi Gazette


JEDDAH – Al-Hilal qualified for the quarterfinals of Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup after sharing the spoils 2-2 with Al-Nasr at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium Saturday.

Salman Al-Faraj put Al-Hilal in the lead after five minutes before Shafi Al-Dousari increased the margin in the 31st minute.

Abdullah Al-Dousari of Al-Hilal brought down Nasr striker Mohammed Al-Sahlawi in the second half. Sahlawi scored from the spot 10 minutes after the break. Rayyan Bilal equalized for Al-Nasr through a pass from Sahlawi 10 minutes from time. Al-Hilal tops Group A with 20 points. Nasr (16) can only advance if Hilal beats Shabab (19 points) and Nasr itself beats Al-Shua’lah.

In Tabuk, Al-Shabab beat host Al-Watani 2-1 at King Khaled Sports City Stadium.

Al-Ahli also advanced beating host Al-Wehdah 3-2. It is on top of Group C with 19 points.

Although beaten 1-0 by Al-Ittifaq, Al-Fateh has already advanced with 18 points. Al-Khaleej (14) and Al-Ittifaq encounters against Hejr and Al-Qadisyyah respectively will decide the other team.

In other matches, Al-Ittihad shared two goals with its host Al-Ansar in Madina; Al-Ta’awon beat Al-Hazm 2-1; Al-Ra’id beat Al-Faisali 3-1; Hejr beat Al-Qadisyyah 3-1; Al-Ittifaq edged Al-Fateh 1-0; Al-Khaleej thrashed Al-Adalah 4-0; while Al-Shua’lah drew Al-Riyadh 0-0.

Suspended players get a reprieve

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Prince Sultan Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, Friday issued a general pardon for all suspended players, administrators and referees in all sports.

The reprieve comes on the occasion of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz’s safe return to the Kingdom.

Al-Shabab and Al-Ittihad have greatly benefited from the decision since four of Shabab players have been suspended for receiving either three yellow cards each or due to a disciplinary committee’s decision. These are Ahmed Otaif, Sanad Sharaheeli and Nasser Al-Shamrani.

However, goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was punished with a disciplinary committee decision.

On the other hand, Ittihad skipper Mohammed Noor received three yellow cards and a red card that resulted in his suspension for three matches.

His teammate, Hicham Abu Cherouane, received a third yellow card during his team’s recent encounter against Al-Hilal Thursday.

Ali Zubara of Najran is also a beneficiary of the pardon.

Hilal routs Ittihad 5-0 to increase lead

By Mohammed Al-Kinani


JEDDAH – Thiago Neves scored a hat trick while Christian Wilhelmsson netted a double as Al-Hilal routed Al-Ittihad 5-0 in Saudi Zain Professional League at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium Thursday.

Both the sides launched attacks against each other from the start. But the absence of skipper Mohammed Noor along with the Tunisian striker Amine Chermiti from the lineup was too much for the Ittihad team to bear.

Ittihad was the first team to make an attempt on the rival’s goal in the fifth minute through Sultan Al-Numari, but Hilal keeper Mohammed Al-Deayea kept him at bay.

Two minutes later, Abdullah Al-Zouri sent a pass through Al-Ittihad defenders to Wilhelmsson, who direct it into the Ittihad goal without giving keeper Mabrouk Za’id time to block it.

Talal Al-Mish’al of Ittihad counter-attacked a minute later, but Deayea did well to push it over the bar. Ittihad was again unlucky to score a goal when Hicham Abu Cherouane’s shot in the 28th minute hit the right post of Deayea.

Hilal on the other hand kept on increasing its tally. Brazilian Neves doubled Hilal’s lead in the 37th minute by tapping on to a perfect cross from the dynamic Swedish midfielder Wilhelmsson. Ittihad keeper Zaid was certainly not himself as he would have saved it on any other night.

The second half saw Ittihad’s coach Gabriel Calderon make an adventurous change when he replaced defender Obaid Al-Shamrani with striker Luciano Leguizamon. Calderon paid the price in the 55th minute when Neves shot from outside the box to increase the lead.

Neves completed his hat trick three minutes later when Yasser Al-Qahtani dribbled past Ittihad players and sent a nice pass to Neves, who controlled the ball before putting it behind Za’id.

Saud Kariri of Ittihad hit a powerful kick from outside the area in the 76th minute but only found the bar. Hilal, however, was still able to find its fifth goal in the 83rd minute through Wilhelmsson.

Hilal coach Eric Gerets then replaced Wilhelmsson and Neves with Eisa Al-Muhiyyani and Omar Al-Ghamdi.

Al-Hilal is on top of the standings at the end of round 11 with 29 points. It is followed by Al-Shabab on 26 points with Al-Ittihad taking the third spot on 18 points, but with two matches in hand. Al-Wehdah is fourth (13 points), while Al-Fateh is fifth (also on 13 points – with a 4-goal difference), followed by Al-Ahli (12).

In another match, Al-Ahli shared two goals with Al-Fateh at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.

Rabea’a Al-Sufiyani put Al-Fateh in the lead eight minutes after the break. Mohammed Al-Sifri scored for Ahli in the 78th minute.

The match saw a rare situation when the referee, Yahiya Hazzazi, fell unconscious eight minutes before time. Although he gained consciousness soon after, he was replaced with the fourth official, Abdurrahman Al-Amri.

Elsewhere, Al-Ittifaq defeated its host Najran 3-1 at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium.

Anas Bin Yaseen scored from the spot for the guest team in the 12th minute before Abdurrahman Al-Qahtani equalized also from the spot in the 35th minute.

Yousuf Al-Salem increased the margin a minute after the break. In the 54th minute Yahiya Al-Shihri sealed the win for Al-Ittifaq.

With one match in hand, Al-Ittifaq is ninth with nine points, while Najran is tenth with seven points.

Al-Shabab shares lead

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Shabab recorded an important 3-0 win over its host Al-Qadsiyyah in Round 11 of the Saudi Zain Professional League at Prince Saudi Bin Jalawi Sports City Wednesday.

Angolan striker, Amado Flavio put Al-Shabab in the lead in the 71st minute. Eight minutes later, Nasser Al-Shamrani increased the lead before the Angolan Flavio sealed the win in the 91st minute.

Both Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal have now 26 points each, but the former is second in the standing with a six-goal difference. However, the league leader has a tough match against title holder Al-Ittihad Thursday.

Al-Nasr, on the other hand, played to a goalless draw with host Al-Ra’id at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraidah.

Unlike Al-Nasr, Al-Ra’id, with six points in the bottom of the list, put up a good performance and threatened its opponent’s goal several times.

The five draws of Al-Nasr have raised a big question mark over the ability of the team. The team is now sixth in the standing with 11 points and two matches in hand.

In another match, Al-Wehdah made a big leap to the fourth place after winning over its host Al-Hazm 2-1 at Al-Hazm Club Stadium. Waleed Al-Jaizani scored in the 10th minute for the host. The host succeeded to end the first half with that result.

In the 74th minute, Moroccan striker of Al-Wehdah, Yousuf Kaddioui, scored the equalizer before Mohammed Al-Kaltham, defender of Al-Hazm, scored an own goal in the 83rd minute.

Al-Hazm is eighth with 11 points. Each team still has one match in hand.

Children of martyrs, flood-hit to get admission into TVTC centers

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH - Sons and daughters of martyrs of the Jizan military action against infiltrators from Yemen and the Jeddah flood disaster can now gain immediate admission to all technical and vocational training centers, starting from the second academic term.

This was announced Tuesday by Dr. Ali Bin Nasser Al-Ghufais, Governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), who issued directives to all technical and communications colleges, vocational and industrial institutes and higher girls’ institutions.

“The decision comes in response to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ directives to exert all efforts to help the families of those who gave their lives in protecting the Kingdom from the infiltrators and those who died when floodwaters hit Jeddah,” Al-Ghufais said.

He added that the admission of these students will be through the TVTC centers directly through the training units.

According to Al-Ghufais, despite the end of the online registration period, the admission has been exceptionally opened.

He also expressed his condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and to the families of the deceased soldiers and the victims of the Jeddah floods.

Disabled volunteers offer a helping hand

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – After floods ravaged parts of Jeddah last month, many families were left without homes or, even worse, with missing or deceased family members. Many community volunteers of all ages, both genders and various nationalities are working together to attempt to overcome the effects of this catastrophe. And disabled children are also doing their part to assist those affected by the floods.

Disabled children from the Help Center are among the volunteers lending a helping hand at Al-Harithy Exhibition Center. Eight adolescent boys and girls accompanied by supervisors from the center on Monday were helping to sort out the large amount of supplies, food, blankets, and other donations that are being delivered by individuals, companies and factories in Jeddah.

Speaking about the efforts of the disabled children, Reem Gazzaz, Assistant Director, Office of Advancement and Development at the Help Center, said that volunteers are working hand in hand in a time of crisis to offer aid to those in need. “Our children were also there to help.

This is clear evidence that they are capable of being active and productive members of the community,” she said.

She added that the participation of the disabled children is a practical way to develop their social, self-reliance and communication skills.
“We are thankful for the work that they have done today, and we stand in admiration of the accomplishments of our children and their families,” she added.

She also added that altruistic volunteerism demonstrates the ability of people with special or intellectual disabilities to contribute in various societal situations, be they crisis management circumstances or habitual conditions in society.

The most important thing that these disabled children require is the chance to prove what they can do.
“Who said we are incapable? We are capable of working within our limits,” a volunteering boy said when asked whether he could really help.

Saudi teams figure in different groups

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – The four Saudi representatives to the 2010 AFC Champions League figure in different groups when the draws were held at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur Monday.

The 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four, split into West and East zones, with all opponents playing each other at home and away.

Al-Ittihad, Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli qualified to the Asian championship following their fine performances in their 2008 local competitions.

The Asian draw put Al-Ahli in Group A along with Al-Gharafa of Qatar, Al-Jazira of UAE and the 1991 title holder Esteghlal of Iran.

The 2004 and 2005 winner and 2009 runner-up Al-Ittihad is in Group B with Zobahan of Iran, Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan and the play-off winner of the west.

Al-Shabab figures in Group C with 2003 title holder Al- Ain of the UAE, Sepahan of Iran and Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan.

Al-Hilal, 1992 and 2000 winner is in Group D along with the 1989 title holder Al-Sadd of Qatar, Al-Ahli of the UAE and Mes of Iran.

Group E of the eastern teams included Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea, Melbourne Victory (AUS), Beijing Guoan (CHN) and Kawasaki Frontale (JPN).
Kashima Antlers (JPN), Jeonbuk Motors (KOR), Persipura Jayapura (IDN) and Changchun Yatai (CHN) came in Group F.

Meanwhile, Group G included Henan Jianye (CHN), Gamba Osaka (JPN), Suwon Bluewings (KOR) and the east play-off winner.

The 1997, 1998 and 2009 winner Pohang Steelers of Korea is in Group H with Adelaide United (AUS), Shandong Luneng (CHN) and the winner of the Japanese Emperor’s Cup which will be determined on Jan 1.

The teams will play home and away matches in round 32 before the winners move to the 16-team knockout stage.

The AFC Champions League is the modern premier Asian club football competition organized annually by Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament is contested among the top 30 clubs from top 10 Asian leagues joined with two more clubs qualified through the playoffs.

Al-Fateh and Abha enter quarterfinals

By Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH – Al-Fateh and Abha entered the quarterfinals of Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup competition after beating Al-Khaleej and Hitteen respectively Sunday.

Al-Fateh won over its host Al-Khaleej 3-2 in a Group B match while Abha defeated its host Hitteen 2-1 in Group E.

Three teams of Group E are out of the competition after Abha qualified to the quarterfinals. According to the regulations of the competition, only one team qualifies from E Group which consists of four teams. However, Dhamak defeated its guest Najran 4-1 in the same group.

Al-Hilal thrashed its guest Al-Watani 5-2 to make it 19 points while runner-up Al-Shabab defeated its guest Al-Shua’lah 1-0 to tally 16 points.
Al-Nasr, third in the group, defeated its host Al-Riyadh 2-1 to keep its hopes alive to qualify.

In Group B matches, Al-Ittifaq defeated Hejr 2-0. The winner is now second in the group with 11 points. With ten points, Al-Adalah jumped to the fourth place in the group after defeating Al-Qadisyyah 2-1.

In Group C matches, Al-Ahli leads with 16 points after defeating Al-Ansar 2-1. Al-Wehdah came second by defeating Ohud 4-3. The group runner-up has got 10 points so far with one match in hand.

Al-Ta’ee snatched the lead in group D after winning a difficult match against Al-Faisaly 1-0. Al-Ta’awon shared two goals with Al-Ra’id in the same group. With one match in hand, Al-Ta’awon is second with nine points.

Ten-man Ittihad beats Ahli

By Mohammed Al-Kinani


JEDDAH – The ten-man Al-Ittihad defeated its city rival Al-Ahli 2-1 in a derby match of round 10 of the Saudi Zain Professional League at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Saturday.

The Tunisian striker Amine Chermiti put Al-Ittihad in the lead with an early goal. Substitute Ali Al-Zubaidi increased the margin before Javier Toledo of Al-Ahli scored in the last second of the added time of the second half.

Al-Ittihad succeeded to overcome its thorny technical situation due to the absence of its three key players – skipper Mohammed Noor, Ridha Tukar and Saud Kariri. What worsened the situation were the injury to its goalkeeper Mabrouk Za’id, who was replaced with Tayseer Al-Nutaif, and the sending off of its forward Chermiti midway through the second half.

However, midfielder Manaf Abu Shugair made a perfect pass into the box to Chermiti who shot into the goal. Abu Shugair gave the same pass to Al-Zubaidi who was also in the same place and did the same thing in the 84th minute. The only goal of Al-Ahli came through a cross from Mansour Al-Harbi to Toledo who punched into the goal in 30 seconds before the end of the three-minute extratime.

With that win Al-Ittihad increased its points to 18 and is still third in the standing behind Al-Hilal (26) and Al-Shabab (23). However, Al-Ittihad has two matches in hand. Al-Ahli is fifth with 11 points and one match in hand.

At the Western Region, Al-Qadisyyah shared two goals with its rival Al-Ittifaq at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium.