Key Details
Al-Ittihad is keen to motivate its players with an exceptional bonus to defend its title in the King’s Cup this season, following a win over its bitter rival Al-Nassr.
Al-Ittihad beat Al-Nassr 2-1 away, in the match that brought them together yesterday, Tuesday, at Al-Awwal Park, in the King’s Cup round of 16, earning them a place in the quarterfinals.
Exceptional bonus.
Al-Riyadiya said the club's new management decided to award players and staff 60% of the prize money the club will receive if it lifts the King’s Cup.
It noted that these are the same rules the previous administration set before last season's triumph.
The last season's campaign, which ended with the crown after a tough road, eliminating Al-Hilal in the quarterfinals on penalties, then Al-Shabab in the semifinals 3-2, before beating Al-Qadisiyah 2-0 in the final.
Saudi Cup rules say the champion gets 10 million riyals and the runner-up 5 million.
Al-Riyadiya added that if Al-Ittihad fails to win, players and staff will receive a smaller share of the prize.
The Scales Tilt Toward Al-Ittihad
Ittihad will continue its King’s Cup journey at the end of November, when it faces Al-Shabab in the quarterfinal.
Al-Shabab reached the quarterfinal with a precious win over Al-Zulfi by a single goal, in a match that saw both sides trying hard, before the Lions sealed qualification.
The Riyadhiyah notes that history favors Al-Ittihad against Al-Shabab in King Cup quarterfinals; the two sides have met three times before in this round since 1957.
The first came in the 1981 quarterfinals, where the western club won 1-0; the 1986 meeting ended 1-1; then the Tigers advanced to the semifinals on penalties 4-2.
In the latest edition, the two sides met once in the 2018 quarterfinal, ending with a Tigers win 3-1.
Quarterfinal Showdowns
Al-Hilal faces Al-Fateh in a match that looks within reach for the leader, as Al-Fateh sits 15th in the league with four points.
Al-Hilal progressed to the quarterfinals by beating Al-Akhdood 1-0, while Al-Fateh advanced by defeating Abha 2-0.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli takes on Al-Qadisiyah in a clash where both sides are playing well in the league, with Al-Qadisiyah fifth and Al-Ahli close behind.
Al-Ahli reached the quarterfinal after beating Al-Batin 3-0, while Al-Qadisiyah, last season's finalist who lost to Ittihad (1-3), enters hopeful for a run.
Qadisiyah beat Al-Hazm 3-1 to reach the quarterfinals.
Return of Local Victories
Portuguese Sergio Conceicao steered Al-Ittihad to a 2-1 win over their rivals Al-Nassr yesterday, in the King’s Cup round of 16 at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
The win was the team's first domestic victory under Conceicao since taking charge, after arriving to lead the side from Laurent Blanc.
Since his arrival, Conceicao had only one league win so far, a 4-1 AFC Champions League group-stage victory over Al-Shorta.
He now hopes to claim his first league win on Saturday when they visit Al-Khaleej in Week 7.
Punchline 1: If a 60% bonus doesn’t sharpen their aim, maybe the players should try 100% espresso instead.
Punchline 2: In football, the bonus is the quiet sniper: it lands where it hurts—and in the trophy cabinet.
