Saudi Arabia concluded its preparations for Gulf cup with a 1-1 draw against Syria in a friendly match played at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on Saturday. Osamah Al-Hawsawi put the Saudis ahead in the first half before Syria leveled the match after the break through Raja Rafei. The match was the second of the two friendlies that Saudi team had scheduled ahead of the Gulf Nations Cup which will kick off in Muscat on Jan. 4. Syria took early possession of the game by creating threats against the home side with just three minutes into the game. Maher Al-Said's attempt took the Saudi defense which, however, cleared the ball before the Syrian striker could take any action. Saudi keeper Waleed Abdullah was also tested soon after when he denied a Mahmoud Aminah attempt in the 11th minute before making another save four minutes later. The Saudis created a real chance in the 16th minute when Ahmed Ateef blasted a short-range ball but Syrian goalkeeper Redhwan Al-Azhar collected the ball. Osamah Al-Hawsawi opened the score for the home team in the 22nd minute when he headed a corner kick into the right corner of Al-Azhar. The Saudi team's performance looked weak after the break following a number of substitutions. Syria managed the equalizer in the 50th minute when Raja Rafei put the ball rebounding off Saudi defense into the center of Waleed's net. Ittihad and Hilal win Al-Ittihad came from behind to beat Al-Watani 3-2 in its opening match of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup in Jeddah Saturday. Al-Watani went into the second half leading 1-0 thanks to the 13th minute goal by Ali Al-Bishi. Things, however, changed after the break when Hisham Bou Sharwan scored the equalizer in the 51st minute and Egyptian striker Emad Meteb doubled Al-Ittihad's lead four minutes later. Bou Sharwan made it 3-1 in the 76th minute while Fua'd Suniad reduced the margin for Al-Watani two minute from time. In the other Cup match, Saleh Al-Dawsari scored the first half goal to help Al-Hilal beat Al-Raed 1-0 at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh. __
