Saudi Premier League Champion Al-Ittihad will take on Al-Ittifaq in the King's Cup Championship. The draw which was held under the supervision of Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, Chairman, General Presidency of Youth Welfare and President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), produced a promising challenge as all teams face strong rivals. Riyadh's Al-Hilal meets Al-Nasr and Al-Ahli hosts Al-Hazm in Jeddah while Al-Wehdah faces the defending champion away. Eight top teams in the Saudi Premier League which concluded last Sunday compete in the two-leg championship which begins on April 23 and lasts on May 8. Four teams will qualify to the semifinals before the winners advance to the final. Al-Shabab won the first championship which kicked off for the first time last year after edging Al-Ittihad 1-0. Winners of the three Saudi season competitions are eligible to participate in the championship beside another three top teams from the league. If the Saudi competitions' champions are in advanced position in the league table, seventh and eighth-spot teams will get the chance. After the end of the championship draw, the SAFF announced the schedule for Abha and Al-Raed who play two leg matches to decide which team will remain in the league while the other side joins Al-Watani in the First Division League. Abha will host Al-Raed first on April 23 at the Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Sports City in Asir and then will travel to King Abdullah Sports City in Buraidah for the return match on May 5. __
