Cusco FC out of Copa Sudamericana, lost to Atlético Grau on penalty shoot-outs

Atlético Grau - Cusco FC 0-0, 4-2 on penalty shoot-outs

P. Álvarez, Rostaing, A. Vásquez and Olivares scored for Grau from the penalty spot, Colitto and Ruidias scored for Cusco, while Colman and Ampuero (Cusco FC) missed their penalties. 

Thursday, 6 March 2025, 7:30 pm local time (Friday, 7 March, 12:30 am UTC), Mansiche Stadium, Trujillo, Peru, preliminary round of Copa Sudamericana, single match.

 Atlético Grau starting line-up. Photo source: Club Atlético Grau Facebook page.

Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.

Copa Sudamericana starts every year with a very odd preliminary round, in which teams from the same country face each other in a single match to decide which one would qualify for the group stage. This is pretty unfair, because the team which is lucky enough to be drawn as hosts would have a slender advantage from the start. More than that, why would you have a preliminary round instead of reducing (halving) the number of qualified teams? Cusco FC, which finished fifth in the 2024 Peruvian Liga 1, would have qualified directly, while Atlético Grau, which finished seventh, would not. But according to CONMEBOL, this is fair enough, and for Cusco FC it is the second time in a row that they have to play the preliminary round away - and lose, this time on penalty shoot-outs.

Jeremy Rostaing (Atlético Grau, left) is control of the ball in front of Lucas Colitto (Cusco FC). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.

Well, Atlético Grau could not anyway organize the match on their own stadium, and they had to move to Mansiche in Trujillo, so it was played rather on a neutral ground - but still much closer to Piura and in the same climatic conditions to which Grau players are accustomed, while Cusco FC players are not. The match was also played without an audience, which was indeed odd.

Álvaro Ampuero (Cusco FC) has the ball, and is watched closely by Paulo De la Cruz (Grau). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.

The match was rather boring, with very few scoring opportunities. Atlético Grau dominated most of the match, but only had a few long range shots, which were saved by Cusco FC goalkeeper, Andy Vidal. Very early in the game, even in the first minute, Aldair Fuentes (Cusco FC) received a yellow card for an unintended rough foul, as he slipped, tackling hard his opponent. This proved to be very important in the second half.

 Nicolás Silva had the only serious chance for Cusco FC. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.

Cusco FC tried to reply on fast breaks, but had only very few such opportunities. Their biggest chance came at the beginning of the second half, when Nicolás Silva had a good shot, but Patricio Álvarez saved. The game changed completely when Aldair Fuentes received a second yellow card and then saw the red card after another rough tackle, which saw him off (63'). Down to ten men, Cusco FC relied on their defense to hold on to a 0-0 result until the final whistle. Grau's attacks intensified, but they were unable to break the opposite defensive lines, so the match finished 0-0 and went straight to penalty shoot-outs (there is no extra time in case of a draw in Copa Sudamericana).

Grau's goalkeeper Patricio Álvarez took the first penalty and scored, then Cusco's Ivan Colman missed, his weak shot being saved by the same Álvarez. This gave Grau an early lead in the shoot-outs. The next five players all converted their penalties, so the score was 4-2 when Álvaro Ampuero (Cusco FC) had to shoot, with only one remaining shot for each team. However, Ampuero missed, with a shot very similar to Colman's, straight to the centre and down, allowing Álvarez another save, and a decisive one as well, because there was no need for the last two players (one for each team) to take their penalties. 

Atlético Grau players congratulate their hero, goalkeeper Patricio Álvarez. Photo source: Club Atlético Grau Facebook page.

Atlético Grau won 4-2 on penalty shoot-outs and qualified for the group stage of Copa Sudamericana. For Cusco FC, this was another misfortune, after a rather weak start of the season, in which they lost the first two matches, to Alianza Lima away (a sweet revenge for Alianza) and to FBC Melgar at home, then they won away 2-1 at Deportivo Binacional, but then they disappointingly drew 1-1 at home to UTC Cajamarca. Ivan Colman missed a penalty in the match against Binacional, in this match he missed again, and you know that there is something wrong when the best player of the team makes such mistakes. Fuentes received a second yellow card against Alianza Lima, now it happened again. It is Miguel Rondelli's job as a manager to put the team again on the right track.

Grau: Álvarez - Rostaing, Tapia, Franco, Rodas (Herrera 88') - De la Cruz (Bolivar 89'), Guarderas, Soto, Bandiera - Vilca (A. Vásquez 78'), Sandoval (Olivares 68'). Manager: Ángel Comizzo.

Cusco: Vidal - Ruidias, Saravia, Fuentes, Ampuero - Diez (Gamarra 65'), Valenzuela - Silva (Cárdenas 90'), Colman, Colitto - Tévez (Callejo 76'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Byran Loayza (Ecuador).

Yellow cards: Sandoval 27', Franco 57' - Fuentes 1', 63'.

Red card: Fuentes 63'.

Cusco FC received a bye in the fifth round of the Peruvian Liga 1 (because there are 19 teams, and in each round a team receives a bye) and their next game will be against Alianza Atlético de Sullana, away, on the 28th of March, after the international break caused by the matches of the national teams.

First win this season for Bourj FC after five consecutive defeats

Shabab Baalbeck - Bourj FC 1-3 (0-1)

Hussein Ghanem 90'+3' - Hassan Chaito "Moni" 34', Hassan Mehanna 73' (penalty), Ali Rahal 80'.

Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 UTC), Amin Abdelnour Stadium, Bhamdoun (Aley), Lebanon, 6th round of the Lebanese Premier League.

Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page

Shabab Baalbeck starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page

On a rainy and foggy day of February, Bourj FC got their first win of the season, after five consecutive defeats which worried everyone in the club, as they were last in the table without any point(s). Interesting enough, this result came when Bourj FC played "away" at newly-promoted Shabab Baalbeck, in fact on Amin Abdelnour Stadium in Bhamdoun, which is not really the home ground for Shabab Baalbeck and may be considered as a neutral venue for the two teams, or even more of a home ground for Bourj FC, which played here their home games for many years.

The match was quite balanced in the beginning, with both teams trying to gain control of the midfield and to launch dangerous actions towards the opposite goal. Shabab Baalbeck had their first opportunity in the 18th minute by means of former Bourj player Hussein Al Outa, but Bourj goalkeeper Ahmad Diab saved. The Ghanaian centre back Abdulai Ibrahim also made his official debut for Bourj FC in this match, and his presence was a clear asset for the Bourj defence, which looked more secure than in previous games.

Gradually, Bourj FC pushed the game in their favour and managed to break the deadlock. Mohammad Hammoud took a corner kick from the right side, and Hassan Chaito "Moni" headed from close range: 0-1 (34'). Immediately after, Hassan Mehanna could have increased the difference, but missed from an excellent position (35').

After the break, Shabab Baalbeck tried to come back into the game, but most of the chances belonged to Bourj FC, and especially to Hassan Mehanna, who had a number of big opportunities to make it 2-0. Eventually he did, from a penalty he also created, being fouled after a one on one situation with the goalkeeper, after he succeeded to dribble the goalkeeper. Hassan Mehanna himself converted the penalty: 0-2 (73').

With most of the stress flying away, Bourj FC played very nice football and delivered quite a show in the final minutes. Ali Rahal scored the most spectacular goal of the game, with a sensational shot from the right wing to the far post: 0-3 (80'). Shabab Baalbeck also had their consolation goal in stoppage time, when Hussein Ghanem scored from inside the area: 1-3 (90'+3'). 

Bourj starting line-up: Ahmad Diab - Ali Abboud, Abdulai Ibrahim, Mohamad Choumer, Mohamad Hammoud - Mohamad Al Sibaii "Wartan", Ibrahim Hammoudi, Hassan Chaito "Moni" - Ahmad Hijazi, Hassan Mehanna, Ali Rahal. Manager: Fouad Hijazi. Subs who entered in the second half: Abdullah Aich, Ali El Haddad, Hassan El Mokdad.

The match was broadcasted live on FIFA Plus (FIFA +) platform (freely available for anyone). After some harsh defeats (2-0 to Tadamon Sour, 4-0 to Safa, and 1-0 to Ansar), Bourj FC seem to have less difficult opponents in the next rounds, and after the win against Shabab Baalbeck, they already climbed in the table from the bottom position to the second-to-last place. Their next game will be again on Wednesday, 26 February, against Racing Beirut, away.

Fayoum won the local derby over Tamya and are out of relegation trouble

Merkaz Shabab Tamya - Fayoum SC 0-1 (0-1)

Mohamed Ragab 30'.

Friday, 31 January 2025, 2:30 pm local time (12:30 pm UTC), Egypt Stars Stadium, Al Wasta, Beni Suef Governorate, 18th round of the Egyptian Second Division B, Group B.

 Fayoum SC usual starting line-up. Photo source: Fayoum SC official Facebook page

The match between Tamya and Fayoum is always special, because they are both teams from Fayoum Governorate and there is a long (local) rivalry, which is sometimes beneficial for the show. Nevertheless, this year the show was not so impressive, mostly because both teams have to play their so-called "home matches" elsewhere, and so the supporters are not able to travel in great numbers. While Fayoum SC play their home games in Cairo, M.S. Tamya has made an arrangement with the club Egypt Stars, so that they can play their home games on their stadium, in Al Wasta.

The match was very intense, but rather poor technically, as both teams are fighting to get out from the relegation area. The field was also in very poor conditions, mostly sand and earth, and only a few patches of grass. In these conditions, it was difficult for the players to display their technical abilities, and most balls were sent up for the physical battle in the opposite half, with few moments of clarity.

Fayoum SC scored the only goal of the game: a cross from the right side was headed in by Mohamed Ragab from close range: 0-1 (30').

The home side struggled for the rest of the game to penetrate the well-organised Fayoum defence, to no avail. The referee was not impressed by the various dives in the box, and the final result remained 1-0 to Fayoum, which are now pretty safe in terms of relegation, with four rounds to go. Tamya, on the other hand, will need some points to stay out of trouble.

The match was broadcasted on Facebook by Tamiya F.C. page: first half (starting with minute 15') and second half.

Full results, table and fixtures:

 

Round 18 (31 January 2025)

 

Al Wasta – Misr Lel Makkasa 0-2

El Minya – Al Badari 2-0

Asyut Cement – Egypt Stars 1-2

Tamya – Fayoum 0-1

Telephonat – Beni Mazar 1-0

FC Masar bye

 

Table

 

1	FC Masar	16	13	2	1	31-10	41	Qualification to promotion play-offs
2	Asyut Cement	17	10	3	4	24-11	33	Qualification to promotion play-offs
3	Misr Lel Makkasa	16	9	2	5	17-12	29	Qualification to promotion play-offs
4	Egypt Stars	16	7	4	5	18-17	25
5	Telephonat	17	5	9	3	20-15	24
6	El Minya	16	5	6	5	17-14	21
7	Fayoum	16	6	2	8	15-18	20
8	Tamya	17	5	1	11	18-33	16
9	Al Badari	16	4	3	9	14-20	15
10	Beni Mazar	16	3	4	9	13-24	13
11	Al Wasta	17	3	4	10	15-28	13	Relegation to the Third Division

 

In case that two or more teams are equal on points, the goal difference is the main ranking criterion.

 

Round 19 (7 February 2025)

 

Tamya – Egypt Stars

Fayoum – El Minya

Beni Mazar – Asyut Cement

Al Badari – FC Masar

Misr Lel Makkasa – Telephonat

Al Wasta bye

The Lebanese Premier League resumed, Bourj FC lost to Hikma / Sagesse

Bourj FC - Hikma / Sagesse 1-3 (0-2)

Hassan Mehanna 48' - Papa Laye Dieng 21', 43', 72'.

Saturday, 25 January 2025, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 pm UTC), Al Ahed Stadium, Bourj el-Barajneh (Ouzai), 2nd round of the Lebanese Premier League.

Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese Football Association.

Hikma / Sagesse starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese Football Association.

After several months of break, caused by the Israeli attacks, with only one round disputed so far back in September, the Lebanese Premier League resumed in difficult conditions. 

While the context is of course very tough for everyone in Lebanon, Bourj FC has it even worse, because they lost their main financial backer, former owner Fadi Nasser, even in summer, when they were on the verge of bankruptcy. However, with some help, they managed to get a team, but it is hard to say if it is competitive enough to stay in the Premier League. Gone are the years when Bourj FC qualified for the play-offs and even dreamed of a title. They will be certainly fighting relegation this season, and this was obvious also in this first game after more than four months against fellow relegation rivals Hikma / Sagesse.

The two captains and the referees before the start of the game. Photo source: Lebanese Football Association.

The match started rather boringly, looking almost like a friendly match. Hikma / Sagesse looked better, with three Senegalese players in the field, compared to zero foreigners for Bourj FC. They needed a little bit more than 20 minutes to take the lead, from a set piece. There was a corner from the right side, rather badly taken to the first post, where a Bourj FC defender failed miserably to clear, providing Papa Laye Dieng the opportunity to take a shot and score: 0-1 (21').

It was only after this goal that Bourj FC woke up and realized that this is an official game and they are down. They slowly started to take control of the game in the middle, but their offensive actions were not sharp enough to break through the opposite defence. Shadi Jouni on the left side was the most active Bourj FC player, but his most promising action ended with a dive in the box (36'), which did not impress the referee (or the VAR officials).

Bourj FC were focused on the attack, and left wide spaces in the defence. And Hikma / Sagesse proved that they know how to manage a counterattack. Or, more precisely, Papa Laye Dieng proved that, almost entirely by himself. A ball lost in a stoupid manner by Bourj players in midfield reached the Senegalese striker, all alone against three Bourj defenders, plus the goalkeeper. Well, he managed to score, imagine that: 0-2 (43')! This might prove two things: one, that the striker is very good, and two, that the defenders are rubbish. Hard to say if it is the first, or the second, or both. Needless to say that he ran with the ball faster than the defenders without the ball, and that the defenders blocked his left foot, while he is right-footed.

Papa Laye Dieng (in the middle) scored a hat-trick for Hikma / Sagesse. Photo source: Lebanese Football Association.

In the second half, things seemed to turn on a different direction. It has just started, when Bourj FC managed to get a goal, from a set piece, a corner kick, almost identical to the one in which they received the first goal of the game. Only that it was taken from the left side, the Hikma / Sagesse player half-missed the ball, sending it perfectly to Hassan Mehanna, who scored from short range: 1-2 (48').

Hassan Mehanna (in yellow) scored the only goal for Bourj FC. Photo source: Lebanese Football Association.

It could have been much more, as Bourj FC certainly pushed for an equalizer, and had several chances, mostly missed by Shadi Jouni (52', 58'), whose shots were saved by Hikma / Sagesse goalkeeper. When the pressure at Hikma / Sagesse goal seemed to reach a momentum, lightning stroke at the other end. Another counterattack, and yet again Papa Laye Dieng got to the ball before Bourj FC goalkeeper to strike it home for a third time in a row: 1-3 (72').

Papa Laye Dieng (no. 17) was the man of the match. Photo source: Lebanese Football Association.

It was all over, despite the fact that there were still 20 minutes or more left in the game. Bourj FC were clearly demoralized and uncapable of turning the game in their favour, so Hikma / Sagesse won 3-1 and now have 6 points, while Bourj FC remain with nothing.

Bourj FC: Ahmad Diab - Youssef Anbar, Ali Abboud, Hassan Hazime (Mohamad Choumer 77'), Mohamad Hammoud - Mohamad El Sibaii "Wartan", Hassan El Mokdad (Ibrahim Hammoudi 46') - Ali Rahal (Abdallah Aich 46'), Hassan Chaito "Moni", Shadi Jouni - Hassan Mehanna. Manager: Fouad Hijazi.

Hikma / Sagesse: Mohamad Zahr - Hussein Fahes (Daniel Abou Fakher 69'), Papa Sidibe, Hassan Hammoud, Michel Feghaly (Mustafa Baydoun 69'), Mahdi Tlays, Ahmad Jalloul (Martin Bou Younes 82'), Alioune Faye (Mohamad Khalife 89'), Hatem Eid, Hadi Madi, Papa Laye Dieng (Alexandre Tabet 82'). Manager: Paul Rustom.

Referee: Ali Reda.

Yellow cards: Hassan Chaito "Moni" 73' - Alioune Faye 23'.

Next match for Bourj FC will be Saturday, 1 February, kick-off at 2:15 pm, against Tadamon Sour.