Bourj FC 1-0 (0-0) Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah FC
Mohamad Hammoud 90'+12'
Friday, 19 December 2025, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 pm UTC), Al Ahed Stadium, Ouzai (Beirut), Lebanon, 10th round of the Lebanese Premier League.
Bourj FC after the second consecutive win. Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page
After a poor start of the season, Bourj FC managed to get 6 very important points against direct opponents in the fight against relegation, the bottom classified Racing (2-1 win last week) and second-to-last classified Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, this Friday. These six points were crucial to keep them as far away as possible from the two places at the bottom of the table, which are the teams to be relegated at the end of the season.
Edward Atadana Kwame (in black, left, Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah) in possession is challenged by Kassem Al Shoum (in yellow, Bourj FC) under the look of Hassan Bitar (Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, far behind, in black, left) and Haidar Khreiss (Bourj FC, right). Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page
The match against Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah was not easy at all, and the two teams fought hard to maintain possession and control in midfield, which they did rather alternatively, with periods belonging to both teams.
Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half, but the defenders and goalkeepers took their job very seriously, so it was 0-0 at the break.
A usual dispute in the centre of the field between central midfielders Yasser Dimachek (Bourj FC, left) and Fadel Ajami (captain of Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, right). Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page
The second half was more lively, and Bourj FC took the initiative more than their opponents, which gave them more chances and even led to a goal. Haider Khreiss crossed from the left side and one of Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah defenders headed perfectly... into his own goal (60').
However, after a few minutes of waiting, the referee was called by the VAR and it was decided that the entire action started originally from an offside position of one of the Bourj players, although this had been some time ago compared to the specific action which led to the (own) goal. Nevertheless, the referee cancelled the goal for offside. So, still 0-0.
Bourj FC players congratulate Haidar Khreiss (captain, first from the right), but the (own) goal was eventually cancelled for offside. Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page
The final part of the match was very disputed. Adama Diaw played this time as the main striker for Bourj FC and had some great opportunities to score, but was denied. Ahmad Hijazi was introduced (69') to strengthen the attack. Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah defended well, however. A lot of time was wasted for all sorts of injuries, more or less real, apart from the few minutes due to the VAR check on the cancelled goal.
The main events of the match happened at the end of stoppage time. Ezra Amelinsa, the Ghanaian centre back of Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, who have already had a yellow card from the first half, committed a tactical foul in a position which could be considered as the last defender. He did not receive a straight red, but anyway the second yellow meant the same, and he was sent off (90'+10'). He probably considered that this was the last action of the game.
However, the referee let the free kick to be taken. Mohamad Hammoud took the free kick, as his main foot is left, and the free kick was from the right side, quite far away from the box. All players were in the box, waiting for Hammoud to send the ball for a final battle. Possibly the referee indicated that this was the lact action of the game, it was already minute 102'. Mohamad Hammoud crossed the ball, but at the same time directed it towards the goal: nobody touched it, although one Bourj player was close to that, and two defenders were unable to reach it, while the goalkeeper was tricked and the ball went pass him and into the net: 1-0 (90'+12').
Bourj FC players celebrated. Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page
The final whistle brought the much desired three points to Bourj FC. They now have 10 points and still have a mathematical chance (realistically very low) to reach the top six, and therefore the play-off. It is almost impossible especially because they will have to play against Al Ahed (tomorrow, 25 December) and Ansar (on 31 December, probably), two of the best teams in the Lebanese Premier League.
Anyway, the fact that they might not reach the play-off is nowadays of secondary importance. It looks like the club itself is once again on the brink of collapse. President and main sponsor Fadi Nasser stated once again that he is about to leave the club, and this time for good. He announced that the salaries will be paid for December, but not afterwards, and the players are free to go to other clubs during the transfer period. The transfer period has lready begun, and it seems that some players have already signed preliminary agreements with other clubs in these circumstance.
The situation is unfortunately even more serious than it was in summer 2024 or in summer 2025. During the summer holidays, there was enough time for the club management to find supplementary financial backup. Now, there is no time left. The regular season is approaching its end, and the play-off and play-out are to start soon. We will see if a miracle happens for Bourj FC at the end of 2025. The positive results of the last two matches might be considered as a serious proposal for a potential investor that the club still exists and the team is good, it has results, and would likely avoid relegation if the same squad and the same staff remains.
Bourj FC: Hassan Hazimeh - Sajed Amhaz (Youssef Anbar 90'+2'), Hassan Abdallah Hazimeh, Mamadou Touré, Hussein Fahes - Yasser Dimachek (Youssef Atriss 69'), Abdoulaye Fall (Mohamad Al Sibai "Wartan" 90'+2') - Kassem Al Shoum (Ahmad Hijazi 69'), Haidar Khreiss, Mouhamed Soumah (Mohamad Hammoud 86') - Adama Diaw. Manager: Ahmad Atwi.
Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah: Zaher El Amin - Wael El Youssef (Khodor Hallak 67'), Ezra Amelinsa, Hassan Bitar, Ali Azzam (Sadek Farhat 67') - Mohamad Al Faour, Edward Atadana Kwame - Fadel Ajami, Jehad Abou El Aynein (Mahdi Fahs 67'), Issah Akuka - Samuel Ofori (Hussein Jawad Khalife 87'). Manager: Mohamed Zouheir.
Referee: Wael Haidar.
Yellow cards: Mohamad El Sibai "Wartan" 90'+4' - Ezra Amelinsa 34', 90'+10', Issah Akuka 71'.
Red card: Ezra Amelinsa 90'+10'.
The next match for Bourj FC will be on 25 December 2025 at 2:15 pm local time against Al Ahed, to be played at Safa Stadium.
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