Bourj FC defeats Salam Zgharta 1-0 and qualifies for the semifinals of the Challenge Cup

The last match in the Challenge Cup group stage, between Bourj FC and Salam Zgharta, initially scheduled at the end of July and postponed, was eventually played on Tuesday, the 13th of August, at 5 pm (local time, 2 pm UTC), at President Fouad Chebab Stadium in Jounieh, a neutral venue.

In Group B, Bourj was already qualified to the semifinals as they won 2-0 over Tadamon Sour and Salam Zgharta and Tadamon Sour drew 3-3. In order to qualify, Salam Zgharta needed a better result than Tadamon Sour against Bourj, meaning a win, a draw, or a defeat to no more than two goals difference.

Bourj starting XI in the match against Salam Zgharta. Photo: Abdullah Mahfouz. Source: Bourj FC Official Facebook Page

Bourj started well and dominated the entire match. However, the goal came only in the final minutes of the game, when a cross from the left side was converted into goal by Samih Damaj from inside the area: 1-0 (85').

Samih Damaj (no. 9 in the centre of the area) scored the only goal of the game. Photo: Abdullah Mahfouz. Source: Bourj FC Official Facebook Page

Bourj FC: Mohamed Santina - Mohammed Al-Durr (Hamzeh Abboud 40'), Mustafa Sal, Ibrahim Abu Hamdan (Mohammed Al-Mirkabtawi 65'), Walid Ismail, Mohammed Qassem, Mohammed Faour, Ali Karaki, Hussein Ibrahim (Amin Halal 85'), Hussein Al-Awta (Samih Damaj 65'), Mohammed Jawad Abu Khalil (Stephen Sarfo 60'). Head coach: Mohamad Dakka.

Salam Zgharta: Mustafa Matar - Hamza Al-Khair, Ahmed Younis, Adnan Melhem, Michael Fenianos, Hisham Nabulsi, George Moawad (Yahya Ghafour 23'), Rabih Al-Hubri, Shamil Kougar, Iga Ana. 

Referee: Ahmed Saifan.

Yellow cards: Hussein Ibrahim (35'), Ali Karaki (50').

Mustafa Sal (Bourj, in yellow) fighting for the ball. Photo: Abdullah Mahfouz. Source: Bourj FC Official Facebook Page

As winners of Group B, Bourj FC will play in the semifinals of the Challenge Cup this Saturday, the 17th of August, at 16:30 local time (13:30 UTC), against AC Tripoli, second place in Group A. The venue is Amin Abdelnour Stadium in Bhamdoun, which actually was the home ground for Bourj FC in the second half of the previous season.

In the other semifinal, Safa and Salam Zgharta will meet at the same time on Saturday at President Fouad Chebab Stadium in Jounieh.

The title holders, Tadamon Sour, did not qualify to this stage.