Bourj FC - Al Riyadi Al Abbasiya 4-0 (3-0)
Tidiane Camara 5', Mehdi Kanaan 7' (own goal), Mohamad Saleh 45'+1', Uday Al Shammari 85'
Saturday, 20 January 2024, 1:30 pm local time (11:30 am UTC), Al Ahed Stadium, Beirut - Bourj el Barajneh (Ouzai), Lebanon, Round of 16 of the Lebanese FA Cup.
Bourj FC players congratulate each other for a good cup performance. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
While the Lebanese national team participates to the 2024 Asian Cup, Lebanese clubs that do not have many players selected for the national team had the opportunity to play in the round of 16 of the Lebanese FA Cup, against Second Division teams. Bourj FC, third place in the Premier League, had the opportunity to face the leaders of the Second Division, Al Riyadi Al Abbasiya. Tehcnically, I think, Al Riyadi Al Abbasiya were the hosts, but in reality the match was played at Al Ahed Stadium, which is one of the home grounds for Bourj FC, and is even located in Bourj el Barajneh, the home town of Bourj FC.
Despite using a lot of young players, and some other players who did not play too much in the league, Bourj FC had no problem in winning this game, which became very easy after the first two goals, scored in the first seven minutes.
Tidiane Camara (right) scored the first goal of the match less than five minutes after the kick-off. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Goalkeeper Abdelkarim Saleh sent a long ball to Tidiane Camara, who succeeded to control it in the opposite box, and to place a shot to the far post: 1-0 (5'). Just two minutes after, a cross from the left hit the crossbar, the ball came back into the field to Mehdi Kanaan, who wanted to head it wide, but hit the target, surprising the goalkeeper: 2-0 (7').
At 2-0, Bourj FC eased the pressure and maintained possession, missing a few other chances, especially by means of Ali Kassas. In the added time of the first half, a good action on the left side by Mohamad Hayek was continued with a clever pass to the right to Mohamad Saleh, who was unmarked, and able to score easily: 3-0 (45'+1').
Ali Chaito (in yellow and black) was one of the important players for Bourj FC in this match. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
In the second half, Al Riyadi Al Abbasiya dominated, but hardly had any chances. There were several changes in Bourj FC squad, with several key players coming in as well, apart from the youngsters. Despite the territorial domination exerted by the opponents, Bourj FC had several excellent counterattacks, but the forwards missed from very good positions. This time Ali Merkabawi was the one who missed most chances.
However, in the end, the fourth goal did come from another youngster, Uday Al Shammari, who scored from the centre of the box after a cross from Ali Merkabawi on the right, slightly deflected by Abou Baker Al Mel on the way: 4-0 (85').
Bourj FC players congratulate Uday Al Shammari and those who contributed to the fourth goal. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
For Bourj FC, this cup match was a good opportunity to test the level of some of the players, especially those who played less in the regular league season. The championship play-off is about to start, and there is need for physical, technical and tactical strength if a good result is to be achieved.
The match was broadcasted by the Lebanese Football Association on their YouTube page. Highlights are available on the Bourj FC Facebook page.
Bourj FC starting line-up: Abdelkarim Saleh - Mohamad El Dor, Saad Al Shawiki, Shadi Skaf, Mohamad Hayek - Hassan Chaito "Moni", Mohamad El Faour, Ali Chaito - Mohamad Saleh, Tidiane Camara, Ali Kassas. Manager: Hussein Tahan. In the second half several other players came in as substitutes: Houssem Louati, Ali Merkabawi, Abou Baker Al Mel "Bako", Uday Al Shammari, Bilal Al Sabbagh.
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