JEDDAH: The Saudi Professional League champion, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ittihad Friday qualified for the semifinals of the King's Cup for Champions in contrasting styles. While Hilal beat Al-Faisali 3-0 in Al-Majma'ah, Ittihad advanced after sharing two goals with visitors Al-Nasr. Ittihad and Nasr had shared six goals in the first-leg encounter in Riyadh. According to the regulations of the competition, if two teams share points in their encounters, the number of goals scored away determines the winner. Hilal will now face Ittihad in the last four of the competition that will also be played over two legs — home and away. Ittihad recently knocked out Hilal from the Asian Champions League Round of 16. Striker Eisa Al-Mohayani put Hilal in the lead in the 48th minute before his teammate midfielder Ahmed Al-Furaidy increased the margin in the 65th minute. Hilal Egyptian striker Ahmed Ali put the result beyond doubt eight minutes before time. Hilal and Faisali had met in Riyadh in the first leg where Hilal won 2-1. Unlike Al-Hilal, the rival team put on a good performance in the first half of the match. The visitors were slow and seemed to have been unhappy with the poor turf. Faisali striker Omar Kassar lost a chance to score in the 28th minute when he came face to face with Hilal goalkeeper Hasan Al-Otaibi, managed to dodge Otaibi but shot a weak kick which was caught by a Blue's defender. Hilal missed the services of at least six of its key players due to injuries and suspensions. Al-Mohayani opened the score when his kick from outside the area went through Faisali keeper Owaidha Al-Ameri's legs and into the goal. The goal spurred Hilal players into action. Their efforts resulted in another goal, which not only weakened the Faisali team further, but also paved the way for the third goal. In Jeddah, Australian defender Jonathan McKain put Nasr in the lead seven minutes after the break. However, Ittihad striker Naif Hazzazi leveled the score in the 66th minute. On Saturday, Al-Ittifaq will host Al-Wehdah, while Al-Ahli will play Al-Shabab. The winner of the King's Cup for Champions will pocket prize-money worth SR4 million, while the runner-up will bag SR2.5 million.
