Players vie for the ball.

RIYADH, Oct 29: Al-Ittihad Club advanced to the quarter-finals of the Custodian of the King’s Cup after a 2-0 victory over Al-Jandal in the round of 16 at Shining Jewel Stadium in Jeddah.

Abdulaziz Al-Bishi opened the scoring for Al-Ittihad in the 4th minute, with Abdulrahman Al-Aboud adding a second goal in the 45th minute. Al-Ittihad’s French coach, Laurent Blanc, opted to rest star striker Karim Benzema and Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar ahead of the Jeddah derby against Al-Ahly in the Saudi League’s ninth round scheduled for Thursday.

In other quarter-final qualifiers, Al-Shabab defeated Al-Riyadh 2-0 at Al-Malaz Stadium in Riyadh, with goals by Haroun Camara (37) and Italian Giacomo Bonaventura (90+3). French coach Hervé Renard, recently appointed to lead the Saudi national team, was present at the match.

Al-Qadisiyah also secured its spot in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 away win over Al-Wahda. Mexican striker Julian Quinones netted twice (37 and 45+4), while Al-Wahda’s Dutch midfielder Juninho Bacuna scored in the 7th minute.

The quarter-final draw will take place today.