Bourj FC - Shabab Al-Ghazieh 3-2 (1-1)
Hussein Al Outa 18', Hassan Taki 46' (own goal), Richard Baffour 72' - Imad Ghaddar 30', Shadi Al Jouni 70'.
Sunday, 5 March 2023, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 pm UTC), Amin Abdelnour Stadium, Bhamdoun (Aley), Lebanon, 9th round of the championship play-off, Lebanese Premier League.
Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Shabab Al-Ghazieh starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
In the second to last round of the league season, one would have expected more tension in the field, but the two teams approached the match in a rather relaxed manner, introducing several usual back-up players in the starting line-ups. For Bourj, third goalkeeper Afif Zreik made his debut in the Premier League, while Mohamad Hammoud, Ali Chaito and Hussein Al Outa certainly enjoyed being in the field from the very beginning. However, it was important for Bourj FC to win in order to climb to the fourth place in the table and to keep a good chance of maintaining that position at the end of the season. For Shabab Al-Ghazieh, this match provided another chance to get at least one point in the championship play-off, as they lost all matches so far in this stage of the competition. However, they did not succeed and registered a record ninth consecutive defeat.
Bourj FC started offensively, as expected, and scored quite early. Mohamad Hammoud crossed perfectly from the left side, and Hussein Al Outa headed the ball in from short range: 1-0 (18').
Bourj FC players celebrated the first goal of the match, scored by Hussein Al Outa (#7). Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Bourj FC players relaxed perhaps too soon, and allowed Shabab Al-Ghazieh to equalize. Haidar Abo Zaid, on the right side, launched Imad Ghaddar in between the two Bourj central defenders, he entered the box and scored with a shot to the far post: 1-1 (30').
Bourj FC regained control of the game, but were unable to take the lead before the break. However, they did so in the first action of the second half. Mohamad Hammoud executed a corner kick from the right side to the near post, and Shabab Al-Ghazieh goalkeeper, Hassan Taki, in an effort to kick the ball away, introduced it instead into his own goal: 2-1 (46').
Once again, the pace of the game was lowered, as the intensity of Bourj FC attacks decreased. Shabab Al-Ghazieh rarely tried anything, but they eventually equalized once again, almost out of nothing, as Shadi Al Jouni sent a powerful long-distance shot into the upper left corner: 2-2 (70').
Shadi Al Jouni is congratulated by his teammate for his wonderful goal. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
This time, Bourj FC replied almost instantly. Khaled Takaji executed a free kick from the right side, crossed into the box, and Richard Baffour was able to control the ball and then to shoot it right under the crossbar from close range: 3-2 (72').
Shabab Al-Ghazieh tried to come back once again into the game, but to no avail. Bourj FC dominated the midfield in the final minutes of the game, just like most of the rest of the match, and eventually got the three points, even if it was a narrow win.
Richard Baffour (in yellow and black) scored the winning goal for Bourj FC. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Bourj: Afif Zreik - Youssef Anbar, Richard Baffour, Shadi Skaf, Mohamad Hammoud (Khodor Hallak 86') - Hussein Ibrahim (Mohamad El Faour 66'), Ali Chaito (Mohamad Sibaii "Wartan" 66') - Ali Merkabaoui (Mahmoud Kawar 73'), Dennis Tetteh, Mohamad Sadek - Hussein Al Outa (Khaled Takaji 66'). Manager: Hussein Tahan.
Ghazieh: Hassan Taki - Mustafa Al Shamaa, Ezra Amelinsa, Kassem Leila, Sajid Amhaz, Ayman Baalbaki, Ali Al-Hadi Reda (Mohamad Serdah 22'), Ahmad Maki, Hassan Mallah (Shadi Al Jouni 64'), Haidar Abo Zaid, Imad Ghaddar (Mohamad Ghaddar 76'). Manager: Hassan Hassoun.
Referee: Mohamad Alaa El-Din.
Yellow cards: Dennis Tetteh 55' - Haider Abo Zaid 36'.
In the last round of the 2022-2023 Lebanese League, next week, Bourj FC will face Shabab Sahel in a decisive match for the fourth place. Bourj FC has two options - a win or a draw, while Shabab Sahel need to win. The fourth place may come as a consolation prize for two teams which disappointed for most of the championship play-off.
Shabab Al-Ghazieh will play against Nejmeh in the last round, a match without too much importance for any of them. Nejmeh won over Ansar this round, but they lost any mathematical chance for the title, so their probable win over Shabab Al-Ghazieh will only bring them the second place.
The title will be decided by the match between Al Ahed and Ansar. The defending champions Al Ahed have just taken over the lead in the table and only need a draw to secure a new title, while Ansar must win to become champions.
The relegation is also to be decided in the last round. Safa and Hikma / Sagesse will play at home and only need a draw, while their opponents, Salam Zgharta and Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley, need to win in order to remain in the Premier League.
Full results, table and fixtures:
Play-off
Round 9 (4-5 March 2023)
Al Ahed – Shabab Sahel 2-0
Bourj – Shabab Al-Ghazieh 3-2
Nejmeh – Ansar 3-2
Table
|
1 |
Al Ahed |
9 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
36-11 |
33 |
|
|
2 |
Ansar |
9 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
45-13 |
32 |
(+) |
|
3 |
Nejmeh |
9 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
32-13 |
31 |
(+) |
|
4 |
Bourj |
9 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
24-24 |
21 |
(+) |
|
5 |
Shabab Sahel |
9 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
26-22 |
20 |
(+) |
|
6 |
Shabab Al-Ghazieh |
9 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
15-37 |
6 |
|
(+) Points have been rounded up.
If two or more teams have the same number of points, the teams that had their points rounded up will be classified below those which had their points halved neatly, as the main ranking criterion, followed by the head-to-head results, the goal difference, and the number of goals scored.
Initial classification before the start of the play-off: Ansar 14p, Shabab Sahel 13p, Al Ahed, Nejmeh and Bourj 12p, Shabab Al-Ghazieh 6p.
Round 10 (11-12 March 2023)
Bourj – Shabab Sahel
Nejmeh – Shabab Al-Ghazieh
Ansar – Al Ahed
Play-out
Round 9 (4 March 2023)
AC Tripoli – Hikma / Sagesse 2-0
Safa – Tadamon Sour 1-3
Salam Zgharta – Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley 0-0
Table
|
7 |
Tadamon Sour |
9 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
28-22 |
24 |
|
|
8 |
AC Tripoli |
9 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
17-33 |
20 |
(+) |
|
9 |
Hikma / Sagesse |
9 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
16-25 |
15 |
(+) |
|
10 |
Safa |
9 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
17-29 |
14 |
|
|
11 |
Salam Zgharta |
9 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
14-25 |
14 |
(+) |
|
12 |
Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley |
9 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
19-35 |
13 |
(+) |
(+) Points have been rounded up.
If two or more teams have the same number of points, the teams that had their points rounded up will be classified below those which had their points halved neatly, as the main ranking criterion, followed by the head-to-head results, the goal difference, and the number of goals scored.
Initial classification before the start of the play-out: Safa and Tadamon Sour 5p, Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley, Salam Zgharta and Hikma / Sagesse 4p, AC Tripoli 3p.
Round 10 (10 March 2023)
Tadamon Sour – AC Tripoli
Safa – Salam Zgharta
Hikma / Sagesse – Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley
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