Bourj FC 0-0 Al Mabarra
Sunday, 28 September 2025, 3:30 pm local time (12:30 pm UTC), Amin Abdelnour Stadium, Bhamdoun (Aley), Lebanon, 2nd round of the Lebanese League (regular season).
The referees (in black) and the two team captains, Haidar Khreiss (Bourj FC, in yellow) and Hussein Ibrahim "Al Saaouk" (Al Mabarra, in blue) - former team captain of Bourj FC a few years ago. Photo source: Al Mabarra Facebook page
Bourj FC, which were (again) on the verge of bankruptcy this summer, had the opportunity to play against the two newly-promoted teams to the Lebanese Premier League in the first two games of the season. The match against Jwaya ended badly, 3-0 for the opponents, but they succeeded to get one point against Al Mabarra, despite playing in ten men more than half of the match, after centre back Mamadou Touré was sent off in the stoppage time of the first half.
The game started almost perfectly for Bourj, because Mohamed Soumah was fouled inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty for Bourj (3'). However, after consulting with the VAR, the referee withdrew his initial decision, but did not give a yellow card for simulation either, which means that it was one of those strange situations, when there was "something", but not enough for a penalty.
Mouhamed Soumah (Bourj FC, in yellow) keeps the ball in front of Mohamed Koné (Al Mabarra). Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The match continued without too many goal opportunities, as both teams fought hard for the control of the ball, especially in midfield, with many injuries and interruptions, which led to a very fragmented and hard to watch game.
In one controversial action, Bakary Soumaré (Al Mabarra), all alone in the opponent box, sent a lobe over the goalkeeper and the crossbar, but then was hit by goalkeeper Ali Hajj Hassan (Bourj FC), who fell over him (32'). The referee did not give a penalty and the VAR did not intervene.
At the end of first half, Moni provided a great assist for the same Bakary Soumaré, who escaped almost one on one with the goalkeeper, but was tackled from behind by Mamadou Touré, although it looked like Ali Hajj Hassan would have reached the ball first anyway (45'). The referee initially awarded a yellow card, but he was afterwards called by the VAR, and eventually Mamadou Touré was sent off for a foul which impeded a clear goal scoring opportunity (45'+3').
Nonetheless, even down to ten men, Bourj FC had their biggest chance in the last minute of first half stoppage time, when Abdoulaye Fall's shot hit the crossbar (45'+8').
Mahmoud Siblini (Al Mabarra) is carefully followed by Sajed Amhaz (Bourj FC), under the watch of Abdoulaye Fall (Bourj FC) behind them. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
In the second half, Al Mabarra tried to make benefit out of their numerical superiority, but failed. Bourj FC defended vigorously and counterattacked dangerously sometimes. Set pieces gave most chances for Al Mabarra. After a corner from the left side, both Hussein Ibrahim and Moni missed the goal from just a few meters away, actually missing the ball (64').
Hussein Ibrahim and Moni missed the ball after a corner, in front of an empty net. Photo source: Al Mabarra Facebook page
The biggest chance for Al Mabarra came just two minutes afterwards, when Moni was again in front of an empty net after a cross from the left side, but Youssef Atriss made a crucial save, blocking Moni inside the box (66').
At the opposite end, Haidar Khreiss launched Adama Diaw in the box, one on one with the goalkeeper, but this left-footed shot went wide at the near post (69').
Adama Diaw (Bourj FC, in yellow) could have scored at his debut, but missed, leaving goalkeeper Karim Salame (Al Mabarra) with a clean sheet. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The numerical balance could have been reestablished in the 75' minute, but the referee did not award a second yellow card for Qossay Battat, generating a wave of protests from the side of Bourj FC.
In the last minutes, Al Mabarra pushed for a winning goal, but they had no clear opportunity, while Bourj FC concentrated mostly on defending the draw and time wasting.
Youssef Atriss (Bourj FC, in yellow) tackles Mohamed Koné (Al Mabarra). Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page
The result gave Bourj FC the first point this season, and it may be considered a good result taking into account the circumstances - the fact that they played in ten for most of the match. Al Mabarra obtained their second consecutive draw in their two matches of the season.
Bourj: Ali Hajj Hassan - Sajed Amhaz, Mohamad Choumer, Mamadou Touré, Mohamad Hammoud - Mohamad Al Sibaii "Wartan" (Youssef Atriss 56'), Abdoulaye Fall (Ibrahim Hammoudi 86'), Haidar Khriess - Ahmad Hijazi, Adama Diaw, Mouhamed Soumah. Manager: Ahmed Atwi.
Al Mabarra: Karim Salame - Mohammad Ismail, Kassem Watfa, Hussein Ibrahim, Qossay Battat (Hussein Bajouk 78') - Yves Constant Legré (Hassan El Mokdad 38'), Ali Karoubi, Moni (Mohamad Farhat 78') - Mahmoud Siblini (Ouday Chmouri 57'), Bakary Soumaré (Karim Slim 78'), Mohamed Koné. Manager: Malek Hassoun.
Referee: Maher Al Ali.
Yellow cards: Qossay Battat 45'+7', Mohamed Koné 84'.
Red card: Mamadou Touré 45'+3'.
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