The Saudi city of Jeddah is playing host to both legs of the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup first qualifying round tie between Sudan’s Al-Merrikh and Tishreen Sports Club of Syria with Friday’s first leg ending 2-1 in favor of the Sudanese club. Al-Gozoli Nooh and Paulo Sérgio both scored in the first half for Merrikh after Abdulrazzaq Al-Mohammed gave reigning Syrian Premier League champions Tishreen an early lead. The teams will play the second leg on Tuesday at the same venue, the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium.
Tishreen got off to an excellent start and opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Abdulhadi Hanbazli dribbled to the end line on the left flank and put in a low cross that went beyond the reach of Merrikh goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa to find Al-Mohammed for an easy finish into an empty net.
Last season’s Sudanese Premier League runners-up provided a strong response and it was Nooh who equalized close to the half hour mark. An early cross from the right wing saw Nooh leap to contest for the header and his efforts caused Tishreen keeper Ahmad Madanieh to drop the ball. Nooh collected the loose ball in the penalty area and his first shot was saved by Madanieh right back to the young Sudan national team forward who composed himself and picked out the corner with his second effort.
Brazilian striker Paulo Sérgio completed the comeback for Merrikh four minutes later when Khamis Bakhit’s low cross from the left deflected through to the former Flamengo youth product, who fired his shot past a scrambling Madanieh. Video of the goals from the match are below.
