Nejmeh - Bourj FC 1-0 (1-0)
Khalil Bader 11'
Thursday, 14 March 2024, 3 pm local time (1 pm UTC), Rachid Karami Stadium, Tripoli, Lebanon, the 6th round of championship play-off, Lebanese Premier League.
Nejmeh starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
This was the first match for both teams in which VAR was in use. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Despite the start of the Ramadan, the matches of the Lebanese Premier League continued, although the top six, which are in the play-off, had to stop in the meantime because of the international break caused by the matches of the Lebanese national team. This is the reason why matches were played in mid-week and not the end of the week. Also, these were the last matches before the international break, and the next round is not yet scheduled, and most likely will be played in April.
Technically speaking, this match was somehow special, because this was the first time that VAR was used in a match played by either Nejmeh or Bourj, after its earlier introduction (or rather testing) at the derby between Ansar and Al Ahed one day ago. Whether it really functioned or not, one cannot say precisely, because it has not been used, as far as one noticed.
Mohamad El Dor (only partly visible) saved from the goal line at the beginning of the game. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The match started quite well for Nejmeh, which had a series of corner kicks. After one of these corner kicks, taken from the right side, Mohamad El Dor saved miraculously from the goal line (6'). However, five minutes later, Mohamad Al Husseini failed to clear properly after another corner, this time from the left side (perhaps he was also pushed from behind while trying), the ball reached Khalil Bader on the left side of the box, who advanced and surprisingly shot at the target from a very tight angle, while goalkeeper Abdelkarim Saleh only slightly touched the ball, which went in: 1-0 (11').
Khalil Bader's shot from a very narrow angle went in and decided the match. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Nejmeh continued their offensive and missed other opportunities as well in the next ten minutes. Mehdi El Zein missed the target from a very good position (16'), and Abdelkarim Saleh saved a very good shot which went under the crossbar (21').
However, Bourj FC succeeded to give a better replay after the first half an hour, and a very good cross from the right side by Bilal Sabbagh was headed into the crossbar by Tidiane Camara, and then the ball came into the field to Mohamad Al Sibaii "Wartan", whose strong shot was saved by Ali Al Sabeh (32').
Right before half time, Houssem Louati took a corner from the left, Ali Al Sabeh missed the ball, but Tidiane Camara's header went wide, while he had an empty goal in front (43').
Ahmad Kheireddine (Nejmeh, in red) and Bilal Sabbagh (Bourj FC) fight over the ball. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
In the second half, there were less opportunities for both teams. Nejmeh retained the overall control, while Bourj tried by all means to get through the well-organized Nejmeh defence, but failed. Hilal El Helwe was introduced to help Bourj attack, but he got injured again after about 10 minutes and had to be replaced. Interesting enough, Ali Markabawi played as a right back after Hilal El Helwe came in.
Rabih Ataya (Nejmeh, in red) is chased by Houssem Louati (Bourj FC) in front of the benches. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
In the final minutes and in stoppage time, Bourj risked more, and Tidiane Camara had a chance, but instead of going himself for the goal, passed back to Abou Baker Al Mel, whose shot went wide (90'). In the last minute of stoppage time, three Nejmeh players escaped towards Bourj goal against one defender and the goalkeeper, but were unable to score (90'+6').
The match ended with a narrow win for Nejmeh, much needed for this team which still have a chance for the title. Bourj, on the other hand, remain in fifth place and farther away from any better place. Moreover, it is not just that their results did not improve, but their performance in the field did not improve either.
Nejmeh players celebrate. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
Nejmeh: Ali Al Sabeh - Said Awada, Artiom Litveacov, Kasem El Zein, Maher Sabra - Mehdi El Zein (Giorgi Kantaria 78'), Ahmad Kheireddine, Hassan Kourani - Rabih Ataya (Bilal Najdi 90'+6'), Mohamad Al Markabawi (Abdallah Moghrabi 88'), Khalil Bader. Manager: Dragan Jovanović.
Bourj: Abdelkarim Saleh - Mohamad El Dor (Hilal El Helwe 59', Abou Baker Al Mel 70'), Mohamad El Husseini, Shadi Skaf, Mohamad Al Hayek (Khodor Hallak 78') - Bilal Sabbagh (Ali Chaito 78'), Prosper Donkor, Mohamad Sibaii ”Wartan” (Hassan Chaito "Moni" 46') - Ali Markabawi, Tidiane Camara, Houssem Louati. Manager: Malek Hassoun.
Referee: Hussein Abou Yahia.
Yellow cards: Mohamad Sibaii "Wartan" 15', Prosper Donkor 49', Mohamad El Dor 50', Ali Markabawi 90'.
In the derby of the round, Ansar won 1-0 over Al Ahed to climb on top of the table.
Full results, table and fixtures:
Round 6 (13-14 March 2024)
Ansar – Al Ahed 1-0
Safa – Racing 2-1
Nejmeh – Bourj 1-0
Table
|
1 |
Ansar |
6 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
36-17 |
26 |
|
|
2 |
Al Ahed |
6 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
38-10 |
23 |
|
|
3 |
Nejmeh |
6 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
29-15 |
22 |
|
|
4 |
Safa |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
29-22 |
22 |
(+) |
|
5 |
Bourj |
6 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
18-22 |
13 |
(+) |
|
6 |
Racing |
6 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
23-30 |
9 |
(+) |
(+) Points have been rounded up.
Round 7 (April 2024)
Bourj – Al Ahed
Racing – Ansar
Nejmeh – Safa
