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
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, February 1, 2010
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
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
Ittihad beats Wehdah 2-0
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Al-Ittihad won its delayed round-6 match against its guest Al-Wehdah 2-0 at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Monday.
Moroccan striker Hicham Aboucherouane put the former league champion in the lead eight minutes before the break and midfielder Manaf Abu Shugair sealed the win eight minutes before the final whistle.
Muhanned Asseri of the guest team failed to score from the spot in the 58th minute after the Moroccan midfielder Rafiq Abdussamad was brought down in the box.
Ittihad performed better and succeeded to gain three points which marked the first participation of the team’s new Argentinean coach Enzo Hector, who set up a special camera in the stadium to help analyze his players’ performance.
Al-Ittihad is still third on the standings with 39 points while Makkah Knights are sixth with 26 points with one match in hand.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Nasr draws with Ahli
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Al-Nasr shared two goals with its guest Al-Ahli in round 20 of the Saudi Zain Professional League at King Fahd International Stadium Saturday.
After this draw, Nasr is fourth on the standings with 31 points and two delayed matches against Hazm and Wehdah. Al-Ahli is fifth with 27 points and a match in hand, against Hazm. Wehdah is sixth with 26 points and two matches in hand.
Nasr midfielder Ahmed Abbas put the host in the lead in the 24th minute before Ahli Brazilian striker Victor Simoes leveled the score six minutes after the break.
The two teams played an interesting match and threatened each others’ goal several times. In the 19th minute Ahli striker Malik Mo’adh hit the Nasr post.
However, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi and Figueroa of Nasr were no luckier than Mo’adh when two of their attempts hit the Greens’ post. The teams then exchanged counterattacks but the teams goalkeepers were performing well while strikers of both teams were not lucky enough
Friday, January 29, 2010
3 bottom clubs fight for survival
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – The three bottom clubs of the Saudi Zain Professional League continued their fight for survival. However, goal difference will seem to be decisive in the next rounds.
Two teams, Al-Ra’id and Al-Qadisiyah, are in the 10th and 11th positions on the standings with 14 points each after their wins in the 20th round of the competition.
Najran, which was 10th before the 20th round, is now 12th following its defeat by its guest Al-Ra’id 1-0 at Al-Okhdoud Club Stadium Friday.
Mohsen Al-Qarni scored his team’s only goal ten minutes before the break.
The host team failed to gain anything from this crucial encounter. Najran striker Al-Hasan Al-Yami, who played alone upfront, had not recovered fully from a previous injury and it affected his performance.
With one match still in hand, the winner is now tenth with 14 points with an eight-goal difference ahead of Al-Qadisiyah which has the same number of points.
On the other hand, Al-Qadisiyah defeated its guest Al-Hazm 3-1 at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium. The win moved the host from the bottom to the 11th place.
Qadisiyah goals came through the Brazilian striker Nelson Figueredo in the 7th minute, the Nigerian striker John Jampo in the 68th before Peruvian midfielder Juan Cominges sealed the win from the spot in the 90th. Hazm’s only goal was scored by midfielder Abdullah Al-Hayder, a minute before the break.
On Saturday, Al-Nasr will host Al-Ahli at King Fahd International Stadium. Nasr is fourth with 30 points and two matches in hand. On the other hand, Ahli is sixth with 26 points (eight goal difference) behind Al-Wehdah.
JEDDAH – The three bottom clubs of the Saudi Zain Professional League continued their fight for survival. However, goal difference will seem to be decisive in the next rounds.
Two teams, Al-Ra’id and Al-Qadisiyah, are in the 10th and 11th positions on the standings with 14 points each after their wins in the 20th round of the competition.
Najran, which was 10th before the 20th round, is now 12th following its defeat by its guest Al-Ra’id 1-0 at Al-Okhdoud Club Stadium Friday.
Mohsen Al-Qarni scored his team’s only goal ten minutes before the break.
The host team failed to gain anything from this crucial encounter. Najran striker Al-Hasan Al-Yami, who played alone upfront, had not recovered fully from a previous injury and it affected his performance.
With one match still in hand, the winner is now tenth with 14 points with an eight-goal difference ahead of Al-Qadisiyah which has the same number of points.
On the other hand, Al-Qadisiyah defeated its guest Al-Hazm 3-1 at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium. The win moved the host from the bottom to the 11th place.
Qadisiyah goals came through the Brazilian striker Nelson Figueredo in the 7th minute, the Nigerian striker John Jampo in the 68th before Peruvian midfielder Juan Cominges sealed the win from the spot in the 90th. Hazm’s only goal was scored by midfielder Abdullah Al-Hayder, a minute before the break.
On Saturday, Al-Nasr will host Al-Ahli at King Fahd International Stadium. Nasr is fourth with 30 points and two matches in hand. On the other hand, Ahli is sixth with 26 points (eight goal difference) behind Al-Wehdah.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Al-Hilal handed Saudi Professional League trophy
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, awarded the Zain Saudi Professional League Trophy to Al-Hilal in Riyadh Thursday.
The awarding ceremony followed the Hilal vs. Al-Ittifaq match, which Hilal won 1-0 at the King Fahd International Stadium where most of the seats were occupied by the Hilal fans.
Al-Ittifaq defender and skipper Sayyaf Al-Bishi handed Hilal the lone goal of the game when he scored an own goal in the 75th minute.
Hilal skipper Yasser Al-Qahtani had earlier in the first half made several attempts at Ittifaq goal but was denied by keeper Mohammed Khoja. Another attempt by Hilal’s Majed Al-Marshadi hit the bar.
After the match Hilal players celebrated the victory with their fans who were granted free tickets by the team’s sponsor Mobily.
Although Hilal had clinched the title after the 19th round win, the Blues’ coach fielded a full-strength team to win the numbers’ game as well. After 20 matches Hilal has won 17, drew two and lost one (against city rival Al-Nasr).
Hilal midfielder Mohammed Al-Shalhoub is still the top scorer in the league with 12 goals, followed by Thiago Neves with 11.
The trophy, handed over to Hilal, is a silver hand-made item very much like the trophies handed to champion sides in Europe. It is made by the famous English company Asprey, which has a long history of designing sports awards. The winner’s name will be carved on the analogous cup, which is 90 percent the size of the original cup, to be handed over to the winning team.
In the other matches of the night Al-Shabab beat Al-Ittihad 2-1 and Al-Wehdah thrashed Al-Fateh 6-1. Moroccan striker Abdul-Karim Benhania scored a hat trick in Wehdah’s win.
Wehdah is fifth in the standings with 26 points, while Fateh is eighth with 21.
Shabab, meanwhile, stayed second with 40 points, 13 behind the champion Hilal while Ittihad is third on 36.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Six-a-side football event in the offing
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Fitness Time is organizing the country’s biggest six-a-side football tournament to be held concurrently in nine cities of the Kingdom, it was announced here Saturday.
The tournament, under the theme “Footbal Revolution” aims to show the initiative to set up sporting events at a high level of organization and planning in order to involve the community in vital activities.
According to Abdul-Mohsen Al-Haqbani, Chairman of the Board of LJAM Sport Company, the tournament coincides with World Cup 2010, the time when football mania reaches its peak. He added that the competition gives a golden opportunity to local clubs to discover new football talents. “Football arouses enthusiasm of the larger segment of the world population of different age groups and cultures. Saudi Arabia is no exception,” he told a press conference.
A recent study, Haqbani said, has found out that nearly 82 percent of their patrons play football in addition to body-building, fitness regimes and aerobics.
“Some 78% of our visitors practice swimming as an additional activity while 53% play volleyball. Basketball came third at 38%. Handball is being played by only 19% of the visitors,” he said.
Haqbani also announced that their social responsibility has made them decide to introduce a specialized health magazine. “For this publication, we will hire health expert writers to target the community health concerns and shed light on the importance of preserving good health. We will also try to help fight the society’s most dangerous phenomenon; obesity,” Haqbani added.
Haqbani told Saudi Gazette that they are ready to host women in their centers whenever approved by the authorities.
The four-month competition will go through three stages; the registration stage which expires on March 23, and the playoffs stage in the period from March 25 until April 21. Registered teams will compete for representation of their city on a card at the final stage which extends from April 22 until the final match on May 6.
Mohamed Sabih, Marketing Manager at LJAM Sport Company, predicted that the registration stage will produce 5,500 participants. “Teams from Riyadh, Jeddah, Madina, Khamis Mushayt, Makkah, Tabuk, Hail and Dammam will compete in knockout matches,” Sabih said.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Al-Hilal clinches Saudi League title
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Al-Hilal secured the Zain Saudi Professional League title after beating its host Al-Hazm 2-0 at Al-Hazm Club Stadium Sunday.
With 50 points and three more matches to go, Hilal also secured a place in the AFC Champions League. The win hands Hilal 49 crowns, 12 of them league titles.
In other matches, Ittihad defeated its host Al-Nasr 1-0, while Al-Ra’id beat Al-Qadisiyah 2-0 at home.
Striker Eissa Al-Muhayani put Hilal in the lead five minutes before the break. Nawaf Al-Abed sealed the win in midway through the second half.
Hilal and Hazm put on a good performance from the start, but the latter could not resist the league leader’s stars for long.
Christian Wilhelmsson was at his usual best and it was on his cross that young striker Muhayani kicked with his heel to put Hilal up 1-0.
Al-Abed, a replacement for Wilhelmsson, put Hilal up 2-0 for good in the 72nd minute when he hit the ball which bounced off Hazm keeper on a shot by Brazilian midfielder Thiago Nevez.
Both the sides made a couple of replacements each but they did not do them any good.
Hazm dearly missed the services of the injured Salahuddin Eqal and Waleed Al-Jaizani, who has left for Al-Shabab.
The match again saw a breach in security when two teenagers entered the field but were arrested before they could reach Yasser Al-Qahtani, towards whom they seem to be running.
An early and the only goal at King Fahd International Stadium by striker Talal Al-Misha’al gave Al-Ittihad three points in its match against Al-Nasr.
The unmarked Al-Misha’al headed the ball into the right corner of Nasr keeper Khaled Radhi on a cross from Saud Kariri in the 3rd minute.
Ittihad is third in the standings with 36 points and has a match in hand, while Al-Nasr is fourth on 30 points and two matches in hand.
Ra’id, meanwhile, collected its three points with a 2-0 win over 10-man Al-Qadisiyah at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
Abdul-Majeed Al-Ruwali and Mousa Al-Shammari scored the goals.
The win puts Ra’id in the 11th spot with 11 points and a match in hand. Al-
Qadisiyah, however, is a spot behind with the same number of points but a nine-goal difference.
JEDDAH – Al-Hilal secured the Zain Saudi Professional League title after beating its host Al-Hazm 2-0 at Al-Hazm Club Stadium Sunday.
With 50 points and three more matches to go, Hilal also secured a place in the AFC Champions League. The win hands Hilal 49 crowns, 12 of them league titles.
In other matches, Ittihad defeated its host Al-Nasr 1-0, while Al-Ra’id beat Al-Qadisiyah 2-0 at home.
Striker Eissa Al-Muhayani put Hilal in the lead five minutes before the break. Nawaf Al-Abed sealed the win in midway through the second half.
Hilal and Hazm put on a good performance from the start, but the latter could not resist the league leader’s stars for long.
Christian Wilhelmsson was at his usual best and it was on his cross that young striker Muhayani kicked with his heel to put Hilal up 1-0.
Al-Abed, a replacement for Wilhelmsson, put Hilal up 2-0 for good in the 72nd minute when he hit the ball which bounced off Hazm keeper on a shot by Brazilian midfielder Thiago Nevez.
Both the sides made a couple of replacements each but they did not do them any good.
Hazm dearly missed the services of the injured Salahuddin Eqal and Waleed Al-Jaizani, who has left for Al-Shabab.
The match again saw a breach in security when two teenagers entered the field but were arrested before they could reach Yasser Al-Qahtani, towards whom they seem to be running.
An early and the only goal at King Fahd International Stadium by striker Talal Al-Misha’al gave Al-Ittihad three points in its match against Al-Nasr.
The unmarked Al-Misha’al headed the ball into the right corner of Nasr keeper Khaled Radhi on a cross from Saud Kariri in the 3rd minute.
Ittihad is third in the standings with 36 points and has a match in hand, while Al-Nasr is fourth on 30 points and two matches in hand.
Ra’id, meanwhile, collected its three points with a 2-0 win over 10-man Al-Qadisiyah at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
Abdul-Majeed Al-Ruwali and Mousa Al-Shammari scored the goals.
The win puts Ra’id in the 11th spot with 11 points and a match in hand. Al-
Qadisiyah, however, is a spot behind with the same number of points but a nine-goal difference.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Shabab held, loses hope of catching Hilal
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Al-Shabab lost hope of catching up with Zain Saudi Professional League leader Al-Hilal after playing out a goalless draw with Al-Ittifaq at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium Saturday.
Shabab, runner-up with 37 points, trails Hilal by 10 points. Ittifaq is seventh with 21 points and a match in hand.
In other action on the night Al-Ahli beat Al-Wehdah 2-0 and Najran beat Al-Fateh 1-0.
Shabab and Ittifaq, meanwhile, played out a dour game, which was attended by a small number of spectators.
Shabab coach brought in Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Camacho for striker Abdul Aziz Al-Sa’aran, but the change failed to bring about a change on the scoresheet.
Ittifaq’s Bulgarian coach also made a couple of changes, however, they also failed to bring the desired result.
The last 20 minutes saw both teams create a number of chances but failed to finish them.
Shabab was in action 48 hours after lifting the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup.
Abdullah Al-Ostta almost gave Shabab the winning goal when his blazing shot two minutes from time hit the bar and landed in front of the goalline only to be cleared by the Ittifaq defenders.
At Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Al-Ahli swapped positions with Al-Wehdah after the host, Ahli, blanked Al-Wehdah 2-0.
Ahli had Wehdah defender Sulaiman Ameedo to thank for the opening goal after he headed Ahli striker Mohammed Al-Sifri’s kick into his own goal instead of heading it over the post.
Ahli scored the second through midfielder Mohammed Musa’ad, who put the Malik Mo’adh pass into the right corner of Wehdah keeper Assaf Al-Qarni 15 minutes after the break.
With one match in hand, Ahli sits fifth in the standings with 26 points.
Wehdah is sixth with 23 points, with two matches in hand.
The third match saw Najran beat its host Al-Fateh 1-0 at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City.
Nigerian midfielder Mousa Sulaiman scored the only goal of the match in the 68th minute for Najran.
The win puts Najran in the 10th spot with 13 points, while Al-Fateh is 8th with 21.
New chief, members for SAFF referee committee
JEDDAH – Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare and Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, reshuffled the federation’s General Referee Committee in Riyadh Friday.
Omar Al-Muhanna has been named as the chairman of the committee in place
of Abdullah Al-Nasser.
Ibrahim Al-Amr has been appointed as deputy chairman for referee affairs while Ali Al-Turaify has been given the post of deputy chairman for the referee supervision affairs. Muhanna Al-Shubaiky, Mohammed Al-Muqayteb,
Mohammed Al-Sharief and Mohammed Al-Suwayel have been named as members of the newly-shaped committee.
The changes, which aim to improve the performance of the referee committee, also included the appointment of Mohammed Sa’ad Bakhit as reporter of the committee and Mohammad Bin Awwad Fouda as the committee’s part-time consultant.
The GPYW president also thanked the former members of the committee for their efforts and wished them success in their future endeavors.
The changes came about after the former committee members were severely criticized for their handling of the referee Abdurrahman Al-Amri’s case.
Al-Amri had allowed a ‘goal’ to stand during the Shabab vs. Fateh Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup semifinals recently. The goal handed Shabab a 3-2 knockout win over Fateh. Shabab went on to claim the trophy beating Hilal 2-1 in the final in Riyadh Thursday.
The 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.
The committee later claimed that the referee had heard the ball touching the keeper’s hand before Ostta put it into the goal.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Al-Shabab lifts Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Al-Shabab succeeded in retaining Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup beating Al-Hilal 2-1 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh Thursday.
Eissa Al-Muhayani put Hilal in front five minutes before the break. However, Abdul-Malik Al-Khaibari of Shabab leveled the score in the second half before his teammate Ali Otaif sealed the win for the White Lions. The win also secured Shabab a spot in the GCC Club Championship.
Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd, Deputy President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, handed over the trophy to Shabab skipper Naif Al-Qadhi before giving away the gold medals to the team players. Prince Faisal also gave the winning team a cash prize of SR1 million.
Hilal players won the silver medals for their effort along with a cash prize of SR500,000.
Shabab dominated the first 20 minutes of match after which Hilal took over and also succeeded in scoring a goal five minutes before the break.
Hilal midfielder Mohammed Al-Shalhoub hit a perfectly placed kick from the corner and Muhayani headed it into the far right corner of Shabab keeper Waleed Abdullah.
Shabab equalized on an error committed by Hilal keeper when he failed to grab a cross kick and Al-Khaibari made the most of it by heading it into the Hilal goal.
Hilal coach replaced Shalhoub with Salman Al-Mua’asher after the goal in an attempt to boost his front line. This change, however, paved the way for Shabab to put more pressure on Hilal and score the winning goal.
This time it was Ali Otaif who put the ball into Hilal goal as soon as he received it in the 68th minute. The move was so sudden that Hilal defender Sultan Al-Bishi could not even make an attempt to save the goal.
Hilal coach then brought in Yasser Al-Qahtani in place of Ahmed Al-Furaidy. Qahtani, however, could not help Hilal change the result.
Shabab keeper Abdullah, however, did well to save a Hasan Khairat scorcher from inside the area to keep his team ahead. The four extra minutes went peacefully securing the win for Shabab.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Unauthorized women gym shut
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – The Jeddah General Management of Health Affairs closed down a fitness club for women in one of the city’s health centers for violation of rules and for employing unqualified staff who were not under the owner’s sponsorship, said Director of Jeddah Health Affairs Dr. Sami Badawood.
Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Jawad, head of medical licenses department, said inspection of health centers will continue and violators will be punished.
Last year, some Shoura Council members had asked the General Presidency for Youth Welfare to expedite the process of establishing female-exclusive sports centers.
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs recently closed down two unlicensed female gyms in Jeddah and one in Dammam.
At present, women gyms are allowed only inside hospitals as “health centers” supervised by the Ministry of Health. But these health centers are very expensive which only the affluent can afford. So budget health centers for women have sprung up under the guise of “beauty salons” or “studios.”
JEDDAH – The Jeddah General Management of Health Affairs closed down a fitness club for women in one of the city’s health centers for violation of rules and for employing unqualified staff who were not under the owner’s sponsorship, said Director of Jeddah Health Affairs Dr. Sami Badawood.
Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Jawad, head of medical licenses department, said inspection of health centers will continue and violators will be punished.
Last year, some Shoura Council members had asked the General Presidency for Youth Welfare to expedite the process of establishing female-exclusive sports centers.
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs recently closed down two unlicensed female gyms in Jeddah and one in Dammam.
At present, women gyms are allowed only inside hospitals as “health centers” supervised by the Ministry of Health. But these health centers are very expensive which only the affluent can afford. So budget health centers for women have sprung up under the guise of “beauty salons” or “studios.”
Ittihad shares goals, points with Ittifaq
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Al-Ittihad shared two goals with Al-Ittifaq in an 18th round match of the Saudi Zain Professional League at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Tuesday.
The draw has almost ended the champion’s hope to keep the title. In other matches, Al-Nasr defeated Al-Wehdah 2-0 while league leader Al-Hilal won over Al-Ra’id 2-1.
The Romanian striker Cristian Danalache put Ittifaq in the lead two minutes after the kickoff when he scored from the spot. However, Talal Al-Misha’al of Ittihad leveled the score from the same spot in the 89th minute.
Ittihad defender Hamad Al-Montashiri brought down Yousof Al-Salem in the box. The former was yellow carded before Danalache succeeded to score.
Ittihad missed the services of a number of its key players –Tunisian striker Amine Al-Chermiti is participating in the African nations Cup, midfielder Mohammed Noor did not take part for unknown reasons and Osama Al-Muallad is suspended.
Ittihad is still third on the standings with 33 points and one match in hand. Ittifaq is 9th with 20 points and a suspended match.
At King Abdul Aziz Sports City Al-Nasr collected three points after defeating Al-Wehdah 2-0. Skipper Husain Abdul-Ghani put his team in the lead seven minutes before the break. Taking advantage of a defender’s mistake, the Argentinean midfielder Victor Alberto Figueroa sealed Nasr win four minutes before the break. Nasr is fourth (30) with two matches in hand while Wehdah is fifth (23).
Al-Hilal won over its guest Al-Ra’id 2-1 at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium. Striker Yasser Al-Qahtani put his team in the lead seconds before the break. Midfielder Mohammed Al-Shalhoub, league top scorer with 12 goals, succeeded to score from the spot. Ra’id striker Mousa Al-Shammari headed into the goal scoring his team’s only goal.
With the conclusion of this round, Hilal is on top with 47 points (11 points ahead of Shabab). Hilal will play against Al-Hazm in the next round. If the leader succeeds to get that match’s three points, it will become the winner of the competition irrespective of other results.
JEDDAH – Al-Ittihad shared two goals with Al-Ittifaq in an 18th round match of the Saudi Zain Professional League at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Tuesday.
The draw has almost ended the champion’s hope to keep the title. In other matches, Al-Nasr defeated Al-Wehdah 2-0 while league leader Al-Hilal won over Al-Ra’id 2-1.
The Romanian striker Cristian Danalache put Ittifaq in the lead two minutes after the kickoff when he scored from the spot. However, Talal Al-Misha’al of Ittihad leveled the score from the same spot in the 89th minute.
Ittihad defender Hamad Al-Montashiri brought down Yousof Al-Salem in the box. The former was yellow carded before Danalache succeeded to score.
Ittihad missed the services of a number of its key players –Tunisian striker Amine Al-Chermiti is participating in the African nations Cup, midfielder Mohammed Noor did not take part for unknown reasons and Osama Al-Muallad is suspended.
Ittihad is still third on the standings with 33 points and one match in hand. Ittifaq is 9th with 20 points and a suspended match.
At King Abdul Aziz Sports City Al-Nasr collected three points after defeating Al-Wehdah 2-0. Skipper Husain Abdul-Ghani put his team in the lead seven minutes before the break. Taking advantage of a defender’s mistake, the Argentinean midfielder Victor Alberto Figueroa sealed Nasr win four minutes before the break. Nasr is fourth (30) with two matches in hand while Wehdah is fifth (23).
Al-Hilal won over its guest Al-Ra’id 2-1 at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium. Striker Yasser Al-Qahtani put his team in the lead seconds before the break. Midfielder Mohammed Al-Shalhoub, league top scorer with 12 goals, succeeded to score from the spot. Ra’id striker Mousa Al-Shammari headed into the goal scoring his team’s only goal.
With the conclusion of this round, Hilal is on top with 47 points (11 points ahead of Shabab). Hilal will play against Al-Hazm in the next round. If the leader succeeds to get that match’s three points, it will become the winner of the competition irrespective of other results.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Poor representation of Saudi women at leadership conference
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
MANAMA - A Bahraini minister caused a furor among some of women delegates at a conference in the city when he claimed that the reason for women not being able to become leaders is that other women refuse to work under them.
The statement was made by Dr. Majeed Al-Alawi, Bahraini Minister of Labor at the Second Annual Regional Conference held Sunday at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Manama, Bahrain.
The theme of the conference was “Women and leadership”. The conference’s panel included Najar Al-Baharna, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Mai Al-Khalifa, Minister of Culture and Information. The conference was organized by BNP Paribas.
“One of the main reasons for the lack of women in leadership positions is that most women cannot accept working under the leadership of another woman,” said Al-Alawi in his speech.
He said that religion had nothing to do with it.
“It is for cultural reasons; not due to any religious or political reasons. The government is keen to put women into the labor market. For that reason, it has decided that employing a single woman is equivalent to employing to two men in Bahrainization.”
However, Dr. Reem Badran, Vice President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and head of the investment committee at the Arab League, challenged the minister’s view.
“It was women who helped me in the elections for a position at the chamber,” she said.
“This meeting can help us take women to even more leadership positions, especially in the private sector. The problem is how to persuade men to give women a chance to prove themselves,” she added.
She said that Saudi women have made great strides in society.“Saudi women are highly educated and they can succeed when assigned to management positions. Many of them are running their own businesses,” she said.
However, there was poor representation of Saudi women at the event.
Amal Al-Zahrani, a member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), who was perhaps the only Saudi female to attend the conference, told Saudi Gazette, she was shocked by the absence of Saudi women.
“Saudi women should have attended such an important event that discusses women’s issues,” she said.
She added that it was perhaps a norm for Saudi women to prefer to keep away from such meetings.
“We have held several meetings at the JCCI but their absence was noticeable. In fact, these forums and conferences are of great importance to Saudi women because of their knowledge of cultural and scientific fields,” she added.
Al-Zahrani said that she was told that a number of Saudi women would attend the conference, but she found herself alone.
“Their absence has really raised a big question mark over their demands and their contribution,” she added.
The conference was followed by various workshops that covered women in politics, education, media and business.
As for politics, participants concluded that women need to be exposed to political processes. However, lack of skills, knowledge and willingness among women to participate were all identified as obstacles.
Participants at the education workshop discussed the gap between the outcomes of universities and the labor market. They called for changes to the education system.
In another workshop that discussed women and business, the participants believed that the greatest obstacles facing women are family issues and time.
The participants at the media workshop said a committee should be formed, linked to the Gulf Cooperation Council to help women take leadership positions in various industries.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Campaign launched against dengue fever
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – The Jeddah Health Affairs Management has begun an intensive campaign to fight dengue fever and spread health awareness among people.
Some one million dengue fever awareness brochures have been printed for distribution in the city. The brochures contain information about the disease, its symptoms and methods of prevention.
According to Munira Balahmar, head of the health awareness committee, some 150 community health instructors have received three intensive courses on dengue fever.
“These instructors will soon pay visits to residents in their homes to educate them about the disease and the ways it can spread. They will also give information about where the disease-carrying mosquitoes may hide and breed,” Balahmar said.
She added that nearly all the pharmacists at Al-Nahdi pharmacies throughout the city have been trained to help her committee achieve its goals.
“We have also agreed with the pharmacies to place some 50 awareness posters on the front of their drugstores. The cooperation also includes the placement of other brochures about the role of the health instructors on the cash counters of Al-Nahdi pharmacies in both Jeddah and Makkah,” she said.
Hilal to meet Shabab in final
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – It will be Al-Hilal versus Al-Shabab in the final of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup. In the second semifinal, which went into extra-time at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Sulaiman Al-Mua’asher clinched the winner for host in a 4-3 decision.
Ahmed Al-Furaidy put Al-Hilal in the lead in the second minute before Badr Al-Kharashi leveled the score three minutes before the break. However, Abdurraheem Al-Jizawi of Al-Ahli handed his team the lead nine minutes after the break. Eissa Al-Muhayani succeeded to level the score from the spot in the 73rd minute.
The match was taken to extra time after four minutes of injury time. Al-Jizawi put the guest team in the lead in the 104th minute, but Nawaf Al-Abed leveled from the spot nine minutes later.
Substitute Al-Mua’asher was brought in in the 110th minute. Three minutes later, he sealed Al-Hilal win after he beat Al-Ahli goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Ma’ayouf.
It was the first match for Ahli’s new coach, Brazilian Farias.
Al-Ahli striker Malik Mo’adh was shown the red card for protesting referee, Marea Awaji’s decision in the last minue of the match.
However, Waleed Abdurabou of Al-Ahli was also given the red card for the same reason but after the final whistle.
Shabab had earlier qualified after beating Al-Fateh 3-2 last Sunday in a match that was also taken to extra time.
JEDDAH – It will be Al-Hilal versus Al-Shabab in the final of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup. In the second semifinal, which went into extra-time at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Sulaiman Al-Mua’asher clinched the winner for host in a 4-3 decision.
Ahmed Al-Furaidy put Al-Hilal in the lead in the second minute before Badr Al-Kharashi leveled the score three minutes before the break. However, Abdurraheem Al-Jizawi of Al-Ahli handed his team the lead nine minutes after the break. Eissa Al-Muhayani succeeded to level the score from the spot in the 73rd minute.
The match was taken to extra time after four minutes of injury time. Al-Jizawi put the guest team in the lead in the 104th minute, but Nawaf Al-Abed leveled from the spot nine minutes later.
Substitute Al-Mua’asher was brought in in the 110th minute. Three minutes later, he sealed Al-Hilal win after he beat Al-Ahli goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Ma’ayouf.
It was the first match for Ahli’s new coach, Brazilian Farias.
Al-Ahli striker Malik Mo’adh was shown the red card for protesting referee, Marea Awaji’s decision in the last minue of the match.
However, Waleed Abdurabou of Al-Ahli was also given the red card for the same reason but after the final whistle.
Shabab had earlier qualified after beating Al-Fateh 3-2 last Sunday in a match that was also taken to extra time.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Medical e-archives underway
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – The General Medical Committee here is busy working on electronically archiving more than 54,000 paper files, to construct a fully automated record system.
According to Dr. Sami Badawood, Director General of Jeddah Health Affairs Management, the move comes in response to the call by the Minister of Health to speed up the work of the committee.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that Health Affairs Management has entered into discussions with the city’s large government medical centers to expedite the admission of critical cases.
“We have urged the large local government medical centers to offer every possible help to patients suffering from serious medical conditions. These centers are King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, the National Guard Hospital and the Armed Forces Hospital,” he said.
He added that the Minister of Health is keen on monitoring the performance of the committee and has always demanded that it provide the best service it can while respecting patients’ feelings and those of their relatives.
He summarized the role that the Committee plays within the framework of the services provided by Health Affairs Management.
“The committee is involved in providing special service to those suffering from chronic diseases and suffering from critical medical conditions,” Badawood said.
“Employees in this center look into the critical cases of patients who need to be transferred to advanced medical centers in the Kingdoms or abroad,” he explained.
“They search for suitable medical institutes that can provide the necessary treatment. If patients cannot be admitted to any of the Kingdom’s government or private hospitals, the committee coordinates with the General Directorate for Medical Committees which consult the health attaches in our embassies to look for specialized centers abroad,” he added.
Badawood, who spoke during his visit to the new headquarters of the General Medical Committee, assured the public that the expenses for the treatment of patients with critical medical conditions are paid for by the Ministry of Health.
He pointed out that the General Medical Committee has recently moved to a new location in the Al-Nuzhah District because of its increased workload.
The old location in the Mushrifah area suffered from a lack of parking places for those visiting the committee’s headquarters.
“It was necessary that we find a less crowded place for the convenience of visitors,” he said.
Ittihad pips Wehdah, remains 3rd
By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDAH – Al-Ittihad beat its host Al-Wehdah 3-1 in a round 17 match of the Zain Saudi Professional League at the King Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium Thursday.
On a night when the visiting teams were on the roll, Al-Nasr also beat its host Najran 3-2 at Al-Okhdoud Club Stadium, while Al-Ittifaq beat its host Al-Hazm 2-0 at Al-Hazm Club Stadium.
Sultan Al-Numari put Ittihad in the lead, while defender Ridha Takar doubled the lead before Moroccan midfielder Hisham Aboucherouane put the result beyond doubt with the third goal. The host team’s lone goal came through Moroccan Yousof Kaddioui from the spot.
Although playing without three stars - Omani Ahmed Hadeed and Osama Al-Muallad (both suspended) and Mohammed Noor (death in family) - Ittihad coach put forward a balanced side which managed to change its fortunes.
On the other hand, although Al-Wehdah started well, its deadly mistakes in the defense helped Ittihad win the match.
Striker Al-Numari scored the first for Ittihad in the 56th minute when he made the most of Wehdah defender Sulaiman Ameedo’s blunder.
An unmarked Ittihad defender Ridha Takar succeeded in doubling the score when he headed Aboucherouane’s corner kick into the goal six minutes later.
In the 76th minute, Wehdah players Al-Marqeb and defender Majed Bilal bungled again when they left the ball for the other, but this time it was Aboucherouane who gave it a push to Talal Al-Misha’al who kicked it back to him to put it into the goal.
Two minutes later, Ittihad’s Saud Kariri brought down Faisal Al-Dosary of Wehdah in the area and referee Abdurrahman pointed to the spot. Kaddioui put the ball in the left side of the net.
With one match in hand, Ittihad remains third on the standings with 32 points. Al-Wehdah is fifth on 23 points but has two matches in hand.
Nasr is fourth with 27 points and two matches in hand. Najran sits at the bottom of the table with only seven points.
Ittifaq is seventh with 19 points and one match in hand, while Al-Hazm is ninth with 16 points and two matches in hand.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Al-Hilal blanks Al-Fateh to increase lead at the top of Zain League
JEDDAH – Al-Hilal continued increasing its lead at the top of the Saudi Zain Professional League after defeating its host Al-Fateh 4-0 in a round-17 match at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium Wednesday.
In other matches, Al-Ra’id shared two goals with its guest and league runner-up Al-Shabab at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah While Al-Ahli defeated its guest Al-Qadisiyah 3-2 at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
Brazilian midfielder Thiago Neves scored twice for Hilal, Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson increased the score and Romanian midfielder Meriel Radoi completed the tally.
Neves headed in a cross from Wilhelmsson in the 32nd minute. His header hit the bar before entering the goal. Hilal dominated the first half.
Hilal coach Erick Gerets replaced ineffective midfielder Mohammed Al-Shalhoub with striker Eissa Al-Muhayani.
Soon after, in the 60th minute, Wilhelmsson and Neves repeated the same scenario, but with a bit stronger header by Neves.
Fateh players now started attacking through Emanuel, Rabea Al-Sofiyani and Ahmed Bou-Obaid.
Six minutes later, Yasser Al-Qahtani passed the ball into the box to an advancing Wilhelmsson. The latter tried to get past keeper Shareefi, but the goalkeeper brought him down. The Swedish midfielder scored from the spot after Shareefi was shown the yellow card.
Hilal coach Erick Gerets replaced Wilhelmsson with midfielder Nawaf Al-Abed.
In the 81st minute, Radoi surprised the followers with a strong kick from about 25 yards. The ball landed in the right corner of Shareefi.
Hilal is on top of the standings with 44 points while Al-Fateh is seventh with 18 points.
Al-Ra’id scored first against Al-Shabab through Brazilian striker Luis Bruno who applied finishing touches to Majed Al-Muallad’s cross in the 13th minute. Naji Majrashi of Shabab scored from the spot in the 66th minute after Ra’id defender Hamad Al-Sagour brought down Shabab striker Faisal Al-Sultan.
Al-Shabab is still second with 36 points while Al-Ra’id remains 11th with eight points.
In Jeddah, Al-Ahli defeated Al-Qadisiyah 3-2. The match witnessed three red cards. Two were against Al-Qadisiyah players – Peruvian midfielder Juan Cominges (63rd minute) and defender Zakariya Al-Haddaf (second yellow card in the 90th minute). Al-Ahli’s new Tunisian defender Saifuddine Ghazal was sent off in his first match in the 60th minute after the second yellow.
Cominges put Qadisiyah in the lead when he scored from the spot in the seventh minute. Malik Mo’adh leveled the score in the 36th minute before Abdurraheem Al-Jaizawi increased the score for Ahli a minute before the break. However, Cominges succeeded to score again from the spot in the 63rd minute before skipper Mohammed Musa’ad sealed the win for Al-Ahli in the 83rd minute.
Al-Ahli is sixth with 23 points with a nine-goal difference behind Al-Wehdah. The team still has one match in hand. Al-Qadisiyah is tenth with 11 points.
Ittihad sacks Calderon
The Disciplinary Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Wednesday suspended Al-Ittihad defender Osama Al-Muallad to an unspecified date.
The decision came for the player’s aggressive tackle against Al-Nasr striker Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, in the last minute of the encounter that ended 2-1 for Nasr.
The suspension would be effective from the day of the match. However, it added that the suitable punishment will be discussed in the committee’s next meeting Saturday.
Following the defeat, Ittihad administration announced Tuesday that its members had unanimously decided to end the services of the team’s coach Gabriel Calderon. It also said that it would pay Calderon $400,000 for the cancellation of his contract. Saudi coach Hasan Khalifa to manage the team.
The decisions followed the poor performance which the team has been showing since it lost the Asian Champions League.
The 49-year-old Argentinian has earlier coached the Saudi national team.
In June 2008 he was hired by Al-Ittihad and eventually won the title of the Saudi League. However,
Calderon reached the final match of the AFC championship, but lost 2-1 to Pohang Steelers.
Monday, January 11, 2010
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.
Friday, January 8, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
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).
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.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
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.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Crown Prince Cup
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.
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