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