Al-Ittihad reach King Salman Cup for Arab Clubs quarter-finals after beating Sfaxien

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad team has qualified for the quarter-finals of the King Salman Cup for Arab Clubs in 2023, after defeating Tunisian team Sfaxien with a free goal in the second round of the group stage on Sunday. 

Al-Ittihad’s player Karim Benzema scored the goal during the second half, securing his team's qualification to the next round after achieving full marks with victories in the first two rounds, including a win against Tunisian team Esperance in the first match with a score of 2-1. 

In the remaining matches on Sunday, Moroccan Wydad drew 1-1 with Libyan Al Ahly Tripoli, while the match between Tunisian team Esperance and Iraqi Police ended in a scoreless draw.

Qatari team Al Sadd won 3-2 against Saudi team Al Hilal in their own clash at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City stadium in Al-Mahalla, Abha.

In the first match, Wydad's player Ayoub El Kaabi scored the goal, while Al Ahly Tripoli equalized through Ahmed Krawa. In the second match, both Esperance and Police shared the points in a goalless draw."

The competitions of the second round of the group stage will be completed on Monday. 

UAE’s Al-Wahda will face Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, while Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab will go up against Egypt’s Zamalek.

Moroccan Raja Club Athletic will face Kuwait SC and Tunisian Union Sportive Monastirienne will play Saudi Al-Nassr.