Emad Meteb's injury woes will probably ease as Ittihad were crowned Saudi League champions following a 2-1 victory over 10-man Hilal on Sunday. The Egypt striker, who moved to Ittihad from Cairo giants Ahli on loan last summer, was ruled out of the title decider after tearing the cruciate ligament in his knee. The injury will sideline him for between four and six months but Meteb said earlier this week that he would forget his pains if Ittihad won the league. His hope was realized. A draw was enough for Ittihad to wrap up an eighth title in their history but they finished their league campaign in the best possible way. The Jeddah-based side took the lead after 17 minutes when 20-year-old striker Naif Hazazi headed home Hicham Aboucherouane's right-wing cross. Hilal's hopes of staging a comeback suffered a major blow three minutes later when defender Khaled Aziz was sent off for a challenge on Hazazi. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the hosts restored parity six minutes after the restart when Romanian midfielder Mirel Radoi converted a penalty. But Moroccan forward Aboucherouane dashed Hilal hopes with a 67th-minute goal after a fine individual effort. League winners Ittihad finished on top of the table on 55 points, five ahead of second-placed Hilal. Meteb, who scored 13 goals in all competitions for Ittihad, will undergo knee surgery in Germany before returning to Ahli. Ittihad's first goal Ittihad's second goal Meteb's 13 goals for Ittihad
