Sunday, 25 July 2021, 5 pm local time (2 pm UTC), Amin Abdelnour Stadium, Bhamdoun (Aley), Lebanon, semifinals of the Lebanese Challenge Cup.
AC Sporting, newly-promoted to the Lebanese Premier League, played very well against the favourites Bourj FC, but the yellow-and-black title holders came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 and qualified for the Challenge Cup final for the second time in a row. Will they win back-to-back Challenge Cup titles? They will be again favourites in the final, when they will face AC Tripoli, a team which they gave already defeated in the first match of Group A. However, it would probably be a different story in the final.
The match against AC Sporting was not an easy one. Bourj FC dominated large parts of the game and had the first big chance, when Abou Baker Al Mel "Bako" shot went to the crossbar (32'). Sporting gave a good response and missed a great opportunity right before the break (41').
The goals arrived only in the second half, when the match became very disputed. Sporting broke the deadlock, as Hassan Fardous scored from a penalty: 0-1 (57'). Bourj players took complete control of the game and attacked ferociously, winning also a penalty for a hand ball. Abou Baker Al Mel took the responsibility and equalized: 1-1 (66').
Abou Baker Al Mel (in yellow) played an important part in Bourj FC's win. Source: elmaestrosport.com
The final minutes were very tense. Each team tried to score the winning goal, but Bourj FC seemed more determined, and eventually their willingness paid off. A ball sent home by a Sporting defender was taken in his hands by goalkeeper Mohamad Zahr, as he was pressed by Abbas Atwi "Onika". The referee gave an indirect free kick for Bourj FC. The same Abbas Atwi "Onika" had the inspiration to take the free kick, sending a perfect cross (while everyone expected a short pass) to Youssef Atriss, who headed the ball in: 2-1 (85').
Bourj FC: Abdel Karim Saleh - Youssef Anbar (Mohamad El Dor 70'), Khodor Hallak, Hassan Bitar, Ibrahim Abou Hamdan - Hussein Ibrahim, Abbas Atwi "Onika" - Abou Baker Al Mel (Samih Damaj 75'), Mohamad Kassem (Youssef Atriss 70'), Hussein Al Outa (Hassan Ghanem 75') - Ahmad Moghrabi (Ali Merkabaoui 13'). Manager: Fouad Hijazi.
The Challenge Cup final will probably be played next Sunday, the 1st of August, in the afternoon, and most likely at Fouad Chehab Stadium in Jounieh. The match will be broadcasted either by MTV Sports or by the FA Lebanon channel on YouTube.
No comments:
Post a Comment