Third consecutive win for Bourj FC

Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley - Bourj FC 1-2 (0-2)

Said Saad 59' - Abou Baker Al Mel "Bako" 19', Youssef Anbar 40'.

Saturday, 8 January 2022, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 pm UTC), Amin Abdelnour Stadium, Bhamdoun (Aley), Lebanon, 9th round of the Lebanese Premier League.

Despite starting as big favourites, a condition which was fully endorsed by what happened in the first half, Bourj FC suffered tremendously in the second half of the match against Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley, when they were reduced to defense only and hardly succeeded to maintain the advantage gained in the first half.

Bourj FC starting line-up against Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley. Source: Bourj FC Facebook page

In the first half, Bourj FC controlled the game authoritatively from the very beginning, and the first goal came rather early: Youssef Anbar crossed from the left, the ball passed the players in front of the goal and reached Abou Baker Al Mel, all alone at the far post, and he had the time to stop the ball and shoot in between the legs of the goalkeeper: 0-1 (19').

Al Akhaa Al Ahly tried to give a reply, but all they could do was to make the game more balanced. Some opportunities emerged for both sides, but it was again Bourj FC which scored at the end of the first half. Akram Moghrabi stole the ball from a careless defender, passed to Youssef Atriss, one on one with the goalkeeper, and instead of shooting he chose to pass to Youssef Anbar, who only had to direct the ball into the empty goal: 0-2 (40').

It looked like an easy win for Bourj FC, but it was all different in the second half. Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley started the second half very determined to score as early as possible and put a high pressure on the visitors, who probably did not expect such a reply. Abbas Ahmad Atwi executed surprisingly a free kick from the right side, passing towards the centre to unmarked Said Saad, whose beautiful left-footed shot from just outside the box went below the crossbar: 1-2 (59').

The remaining minutes (more than half an hour) saw Al Akhaa Al Ahly attacking desperately, and Bourj FC defending vigorously. Goalkeeper Hassan Moghnieh made some crucial saves, when the defense was no longer able to stop the attacking opponents. Bourj FC finally maintained their minimal advantage until the end, but there are question marks related to the fact that they were not even capable of counterattacking, which was such a usual feat when they were in front in their previous matches.

Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley: Rabie Salha - Ali Fouani (Hassan Dib 46'), Mostafa Al Chama'a, Zaher Hassan, Hadi Madi, Sari Chehayeb (Jamil Ibrahim 46', Cesar Abou Chakra 57'), Abbas Ahmad Atwi, Said Saad, Said Awada, Muhamad Jaber, Mohammad Hadadeh (Arej Hilal 12', Mohammad Al Masri 69'). Manager: Fadi El Kakhi.

Bourj FC: Hassan Moghnieh - Mohamad El Dor, Khodor Hallak, Ahmad Al Khatib, Youssef Anbar (Ibrahim Abou Hamdan 63') - Hassan Ibrahim "Saaouk" (Mohamad Kassem 63'), Mohamad Al Faour - Abou Baker Al Mel "Bako" (Ali Merkabaoui 73'), Youssef Atriss (Ali Kharoubi 73'), Hassan Mehanna (Hassan Bitar 85') - Akram Moghrabi. Manager: Fouad Hijazi.

Referee: Ali Reda.

Yellow cards: Fadi El Kakhi (Al Akhaa Al Ahly manager) 63' - Hassan Ibrahim "Saaouk" 63', Ibrahim Abou Hamdan 88', Ahmad Al Khatib 90'+4.

This is the third consecutive win for Bourj FC, which are so far undefeated this season, and have climbed to the podium, equalizing Shabab Sahel in second position (as Shabab Sahel unexpectedly lost 2-1 to Tadamon Sour), and overtaking Nejmeh which did not play today against Al Ahed. Bourj FC are virtually qualified to the play-off, involving the top six teams, with two rounds to go of the regular season. On the other hand, Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley are in a very difficult position, second to last in the table.

In the next round, Bourj FC will play at home (also at Amin Abdelnour Stadium in Bhamdoun) against newly-promoted Hikma / Sagesse, while Al Akhaa Al Ahly should play, also at home, against Nejmeh. The big question is whether this match will take place or not, as the Lebanese Premier League is (again) in deep trouble, because Nejmeh announced that they retire from the league, and they did not show up for their scheduled match against leaders Al Ahed. If Nejmeh are not convinced to overturn their decision, it is likely that their match against Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley will not be played either. This would be a big blow for the league, which has already suffered a lot due to the economic, political and health-related issues.