Racing Beirut - Bourj FC 1-1 (1-0)
Arsić 29' penalty - Ali Markabawi 46'
Saturday, 2 March 2024, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 pm UTC), Fouad Chehab Stadium, Jounieh, Lebanon, 4th round of the championship play-off, Lebanese Premier League.
Racing starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The two managers prepared the match very well, as this was the main opportunity for both teams to gather some points in the play-off, against the weakest opponent possible. Bourj FC started as favourite, with new manager Malek Hassoun at his debut eager to have a positive start.
Racing was however determined to change the odds, and they were quite close to a win in this match, considering that they had 1-0 and a man up for most of the time.
Things changed for the better for Racing when Roland Okouri was fouled in the box by Shadi Skaf (26'). The referee awarded a penalty and a yellow card for Shadi Skaf, which was later changed to a red card after consultation with the other referees (29'). Lazar Arsić took the penalty and scored: 1-0 (29').
Racing players celebrate the goal, with Lazar Arsić in front. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
This could really have been a turning point in this game, because most teams do not fail to win they have 1-0 and a man up. However, Bourj FC turned the balance into their own favour, by practicing a good offensive football, and the fact that they were only ten in the field was not visible.
Bourj FC players Mohamad El Dor (in front) and Prosper Donkor (behind) fighting for the ball. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
While the first half did not bring any news, the start of the second half saw Bourj FC equalize. Houssem Louati took a corner from the right, Ali Kassas' header went into the crossbar, the ball came back to Ali Markabawi, who scored from close range: 1-1 (46').
Bourj FC players celebrate the equalizer. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
After the equalizer, both teams tried to score the winning goal, but failed. Racing had the upper hand in some moments, because they were numerically superior in the field, but Bourj gave an unexpectedly good reply. The numerical balance was nevertheless re-established in the final minutes, when goalscorer Lazar Arsić received a yellow card for a stupid gesture (85').
Bourj FC dominated the end of the game, had some excellent opportunities, but the match ended 1-1.
In the next round, Bourj FC will face Safa, while Racing lost 2-1 to Al Ahed.
Racing: Omar Idlibi - Hassan Bitar, Hussein Saleh, Andrew Al Azzi (Ali Ayoub 46'), Mostafa Al Shamaa, Brel Mohendiki, Lazar Arsić, Jehad Abou El Aynein (Hussein Haidar 61'), Hussein Ezeddine (Joseph Aoun 88'), Roland Okouri (Ali Imad Moussawi 76'), Yann Mokombo. Manager: Vladimir Vujović.
Bourj: Abdelkarim Saleh - Mohamad El Dor (Saad Shweiki 76'), Mohamad El Husseini, Shadi Skaf, Mohamad Zein Tahan - Prosper Donkor (Mohamad Sibaii "Wartan" 39'), Bilal Sabbagh (Ali Chaito 61') - Ali Kassas (Mohamad Saleh 76'), Houssem Louati, Hassan Chaito "Moni" (Ali Markabawi 46') - Tidiane Camara. Manager: Malek Hassoun.
Referee: Mohamad Haddad.
Yellow cards: Lazar Arsić 66', 85' - Saad Shweiki 76', Tidiane Camara 83', Ali Merkabawi 90'.
Red cards: Lazar Arsić 85' - Shadi Skaf 29'.
Full results, table and fixtures:
Round 4 (29 February – 2 March 2024)
Ansar – Safa 4-1
Nejmeh – Al Ahed 1-1
Racing – Bourj 1-1
Table
|
1 |
Al Ahed |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
36-8 |
20 |
|
|
2 |
Ansar |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
33-16 |
20 |
|
|
3 |
Nejmeh |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
27-13 |
19 |
|
|
4 |
Safa |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
25-21 |
16 |
(+) |
|
5 |
Bourj |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
18-19 |
13 |
(+) |
|
6 |
Racing |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
21-26 |
9 |
(+) |
(+) Points have been rounded up.
Round 5 (7-9 March 2024)
Racing – Al Ahed
Nejmeh – Ansar
Bourj – Safa
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