Safa SC - Bourj FC 1-1 (1-1)
Danin Talović 31' penalty - Houssem Louati 45'+7' penalty
Wednesday, 15 May 2024, 4 pm local time (1 pm UTC), Amin Abdelnour Stadium, Bhamdoun (Aley), Lebanon, the 10th round of the championship play-off, Lebanese Premier League.
Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Safa SC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
In the last match of the second part of the play-off (this year there is a third part as well), Bourj FC had a great opportunity to get closer to Safa in the table, and therefore maintaining some chances to finish in fourth place at the end of the season. However, it looks like the fifth place is perhaps good enough, since they did not bother too much to win a match which was pretty much in their hands.
The first one who does not seem to care too much is the manager, Malek Hassoun, who thought that the rotation scheme should work all the time, and introduced for the first time this season in the starting eleven names such as Hassan Hazimeh (debutant goalkeeper) and Hussein Ibrahim "Al Saaouk" (who haven't played in ages). To be completely honest, the goalkeeper did his job properly, especially because there was not much he had to do, while Hussein Ibrahim managed to do the biggest mistake possible, causing a penalty, and then he got injured or something and was replaced even before the break.
Mohamad El Faour (Bourj FC, in red, with the ball), chased by Ahmad Hijazi (Safa SC) and watched by his teammates Khodor Hallak (left) and Hussein Ibrahim (right, also captain of Bourj FC). The three Bourj FC players were rarely used in the starting line-up this season, but got a chance against Safa. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The first half was not very entertaining. The two teams were rather interested in keeping the possession, and Bourj was better overall, but their attacks were not too dangerous. Safa also launched a few charges that proved their interest in winning, and in one of these charges Hussein Ibrahim fouled Danin Talović inside the area (26'). Initially, the referee dismissed the action, but then the VAR intervened and called the referee to review, and after 5 minutes (!) the referee eventually decided that it was a foul and therefore a penalty. Danin Talović converted and Safa took the lead: 1-0 (31').
Danin Talović (right) celebrates the goal with his teammates. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The goal was somehow against the course of play, and this only triggered a harsher response from the part of Bourj FC, which intensified their offensive actions. In stoppage time, after a corner, Hassan Chaito ”Moni” crossed from the right side and the ball touched the hand of a defender before going out once again (45'+2'). The referee awarded a corner, but VAR intervened once again and after other 5 minutes (!!) of reviewing, the referee finally decided that this was also a penalty. Houssem Louati converted and equalized: 1-1 (45'+7').
Houssem Louati is congratulated by his teammates for the equalizer. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The second half was far more interesting, although no goal was scored. Bourj FC dominated the game and had plenty of opportunities, but somehow managed to miss them all. They started very well, but Ali Kassas (47') and Tidiane Camara (51') missed the target from excellent positions in the box. Then, Ali Kassas even scored (56'), but the flag was up correctly - he was in an offside position.
A few minutes later, several players had the chance to score, starting with Houssem Louati and ending with "Moni", but Safa's goalkeeper, Mehdi Khalil, performed miracles and saved (68'). Ali Kassas had another startling chance, all alone with the goalkeeper, but was unable to score (77'), and finally Hilal El Helwe missed from six yards, all by himself, with an empty net in front of him (90'+1'). This was it, Bourj FC had to be content with a draw, although they were very close to win this game, with a little more focus when trying to hit the target.
Houssem Louati (Bourj FC, in red) is blocked by a spectacular intervention of Sebastian Jakubiak (Safa, in yellow). Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Safa: Mehdi Khalil - Sajed Amhaz (Khaled Takaji 62'), Hussein El Dor, Johan Kappelhof (Mohamad Shour 56'), "Shibriko" - Ghazi Honeineh, Habib Shweikh, Sebastian Jakubiak (Mohamad Nasser 46') - Arnold Suew, Danin Talović (Mahdi Fahs 80'), Ahmad Hijazi (Mohamad Kdouh 62'). Manager: Bassem Marmar.
Bourj: Hassan Hazimeh - Mohamad Zein Tahan, Khodor Hallak, Mohamad El Husseini, Shadi Skaf - Mohamad El Faour, Hussein Ibrahim (Hassan Chaito "Moni" 42'), Bilal Sabbagh (Mohamad El Sibaii "Wartan" 63') - Ali Kassas, Tidiane Camara (Hilal El Helwe 63'), Houssem Louati. Manager: Malek Hassoun.
Referee: Hadi Salameh.
Yellow cards: Malek Hassoun 39' - Sebastian Jakubiak 87' (both on the bench).
In the next round, Bourj will face Nejmeh, while Safa will play against Racing. The derby of the next round will be the match between Al Ahed and Ansar. All matches are scheduled on Monday, 20 May. There are still five matches to be played in the play-off, which raises some questions regarding the general schedule of these matches, especially concerning the calendar of the Lebanese national team in June. And the Lebanese Cup is also to be completed.
Full results, table and fixtures:
Round 10 (15-16 May 2024)
Safa – Bourj 1-1
Al Ahed – Racing 5-1
Ansar – Nejmeh 2-1
Table after the second part of play-off
|
1 |
Ansar |
10 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
42-21 |
33 |
|
|
2 |
Nejmeh |
10 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
36-18 |
31 |
|
|
3 |
Al Ahed |
10 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
45-13 |
30 |
|
|
4 |
Safa |
10 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
32-28 |
24 |
(+) |
|
5 |
Bourj |
10 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
21-25 |
18 |
(+) |
|
6 |
Racing |
10 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
25-39 |
11 |
(+) |
(+) Points have been rounded up.
Round 11 (20 May 2024)
Al Ahed – Ansar
Bourj – Nejmeh
Racing – Safa
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