Bourj FC - Shabab Al-Ghazieh 4-0 (1-0)
Hilal El-Helwe 14', 82', Mohamad Zein Tahan 70', Ali Kassas 89'.
Saturday, 12 August 2023, 5 pm local time (2 pm UTC), Safa Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon, the 2nd round of the Lebanese Premier League.
Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: LFA Facebook page
Shabab Al-Ghazieh starting line-up. Photo source: LFA Facebook page
Bourj FC are on top of the table in the Lebanese Premier League after two rounds, winning 1-0 over AC Tripoli in the first round (away) and 4-0 over Shabab Al-Ghazieh in the second round (theoretically at home). Despite the goal difference, the two matches were not so different. In fact, Bourj FC took the lead in the exact same minute, the 14th, and almost in the same way, only the people were different: Houssem Louati executed a free kick from the right side, and Hilal El-Helwe headed perfectly, near the post: 1-0 (14').
Hilal El-Helwe (in front) congratulated by his teammates. Photo source: LFA Facebook page
After the goal, the match had a similar story as the previous Bourj FC game against AC Tripoli. Bourj FC did not push too much forward, and Shabab Al-Ghazieh were meant to come out, searching for an equalizer. However, they had few chances. Bourj FC, on the other hand, replied on fast breaks, but could not score another goal for the rest of the first half and most of the second half. Moreover, forward Tidiane Camara suffered an injury and had to be replaced (by very young Ali Kassas) right before the break.
Houssem Louati (in yellow and black) was the man of the match, providing all four assists. Photo source: LFA Facebook page
In the second half, the match followed the same pattern. Shabab Al-Ghazieh did not exert an important offensive pressure, allowing Bourj FC to have the game in their hands all the time. The difference from the previous match against AC Tripoli was that Bourj FC eventually scored again, and it was from a set piece, again. The same Houssem Louati executed the free kick, this time from the left side, and Mohamad Zein Tahan was in the right place to tap it in: 2-0 (70').
Mohamad Zein Tahan (partly masked by a Shabab Al-Ghazieh defender) scored the second goal. Photo source: LFA Facebook page
Bourj FC played more relaxed in the final 20 minutes, and this attitude brought two more goals, rather unexpected, given the overall mood of the game. Houssem Louati took his creative role very seriously, and after attempting to score a goal himself and failing, resumed his style and his decisive passes. The most beautiful goal of them was the third one, which was almost entirely Houssem Louati's - he dribbled his way through the opposite defense, reaching one on one with goalkeeper Hassan Moghnieh, and then passed to Hilal El-Helwe, who only had to touch the ball into the empty net from very close range: 3-0 (82').
Bourj FC celebrate after yet another goal. Photo source: LFA Facebook page
The fourth and last goal came also from an offensive action, not a set piece. Houssem Louati was again the one to provide the final pass to Ali Kassas, whose shot to the far post hit the target: 4-0 (89').
The score is a little bit exaggerated considering what happened in the field, but Bourj FC deserved the win, and are now leaders on goal difference. In fact, only Bourj FC and Nejmeh succeeded to win all the points (6) after two matches. Bourj will need to win their third game as well, against Racing, on Sunday afternoon, to stay top of the league. The match will be probably played at Fouad Chehab Stadium in Jounieh, and Bourj FC are theoretically hosts. Practically, it seems that all matches are played on neutral grounds. Shabab Al-Ghazieh are at the opposite end, bottom of the table, and will try to get their first point(s) also on Sunday afternoon, when they will face AC Tripoli, probably also on Safa Stadium in Beirut.
Bourj FC: Ali Halal - Mohamad El Dor, Khodor Hallak, Shadi Skaf, Mohamad Zein Tahan - Mohamad El Faour, Prosper Donkor - Houssem Louati, Ali Chaito, Tidiane Camara - Hilal El-Helwe. Ali Kassas replaced Tidiane Camara in the first half stoppage time, while Mohamad Sibaii "Wartan", Mohamad Saleh, Hussein Ibrahim "Saaouk" and Abou Baker Al-Mel "Bako" came in during the second half. Manager: Hussein Tahan.
Shabab Al-Ghazieh starting line-up: Hassan Moghnieh - Ali Kobeissi, Ezra Amelinsa, Joshua Abah, A. Halawi, Walid Youssef, Ali Yazbek, Hassan Mallah, Youssef Atriss, Mahmoud Kaawar, Chris Calvin Nawatta. Manager: Hassan Hassoun.
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