Bourj FC won 3-0 over Racing and will face Ansar in the Lebanese FA Cup semifinals

Bourj FC - Racing Club Beirut 3-0 (1-0)

Hassan Mehanna 2', Ali Merkabaoui 86' penalty, 88'.

Wednesday, 22 December 2021, 1:30 pm local time (11:30 am UTC), Al Ahed Stadium, Bourj el-Barajneh (southern suburbs of Beirut), Lebanon, Lebanese FA Cup quarter-finals 

Bourj FC starting XI. Source: Bourj FA Facebook page

History repeats, and Bourj FC are again in the semifinals of the Lebanese FA Cup, and, just like in the previous edition, they will face Ansar. Will they be able to change the story of the previous edition and make it to the final this time?

In the quarter-finals, they had a relatively easy match against Second Division Racing Club Beirut. They left nothing to chance, as the starting XI was pretty much the standard one. The game was made easier by the very early first goal: Abbas Atwi "Onika" launched Mohammad El Dor on the right, his cross reached Hassan Mehanna in the box, and Mehanna's surprising shot at the near post went in: 1-0 (2').

Hassan Mehanna (in yellow and black) broke the deadlock with his early goal. Source: Bourj FC Facebook page.

The goal made the game very easy for Bourj FC, which controlled the first half without pushing too hard for a second. However, Hassan Mehanna could have doubled the advantage after a cross from Youssef Anbar on the left, but his shot from an excellent position went above the cross bar (14'). Racing only defended in the first half, and rarely crossed the half-way line, while Bourj FC maintained possession.

The second half was more lively, as Racing decided to give it a shot and tried to play more offensively. Wassem Abdelhady missed their greatest chance, as his header went wide (65'). However, Bourj FC retained the control of the game for most time, and their actions became more dangerous towards the end of the match. 

Subs Hussein Ghanem (left) and Youssef Atriss (right) brought fresh air to Bourj FC towards the end of the match. Source: Bourj FC Facebook page

The fate of the game was sealed in the final minutes. After a long offensive action, Ali Merkabaoui was fouled inside the box. The referee, after a few moments of indecision, awarded the penalty for Bourj FC, which was transformed by the same Ali Merkabaoui: 2-0 (86'). Two minutes later, Ali Merkabaoui scored again, shooting to the far post from the right side of the box: 3-0 (88'). Youssef Atriss was also close to a goal (89') as the opponents seemed careless in defense once the result went decisively in Bourj favour.

Bourj FC: Abdelkarim Saleh - Mohammad El Dor, Hassan Bitar, Ahmad Al Khatib, Youssef Anbar - Abbas Atwi "Onika" (Mohammad Al Faour 79'), Mohammad Kassem (Youssef Atriss 63'), Hussein Ibrahim "Saaouk" - Hassan Mehanna (Ibrahim Abou Hamdan 79'), Akram Moghrabi (Ali Merkabaoui 60'), Hussein Al Outa (Hussein Ghanem 60'). Manager: Fouad Hijazi.

Referee: Hadi Salameh.

The other results of the quarter-finals:

Shabab El Bourj - Hikma / La Sagesse 1-2
Al Ahed - Nejmeh 1-1, 2-4 at penalties
Ansar - Salam Zgharta 6-0

In the semifinals:

Hikma / La Sagesse - Nejmeh
Bourj FC - Ansar

There are many striking similarities between this season of the Lebanese FA Cup and the previous one. Three of the semifinalists are the same, and Bourj will face Ansar in the semifinals just like in the previous edition. Nejmeh qualified again in the semifinals, eliminating Al Ahed in the quarter-finals, just like in the previous edition. The only difference is that Nejmeh will face Hikma / La Sagesse, instead of Safa; but Hikma / La Sagesse won over Shabab El Bourj, just like Safa did last year. There is a good chance that the final would be the same, because Nejmeh and Ansar are big favourites in the semifinals.

However, Bourj FC have a somewhat better team than they had last year, while Ansar seem a little weaker. This is also proved by the fact that Bourj FC won the league game over Ansar, 1-0, and they might be able to repeat that feat in the FA Cup semifinals.

This might also depend on the moment when the semifinals will be played, yet unknown. In the meantime, the Lebanese Premier League will resume next week, and Bourj FC will have a difficult game away at AC Tripoli on Tuesday, 28 December 2021.

Fayoum SC won 1-0 over Qena in the Egyptian Second Division and climbed to sixth place

Fayoum SC - Qena SC 1-0 (0-0)

Abdel Moati Mohamed 48'.

Saturday, 18 December 2021, 2:30 pm local time (12:30 pm UTC), Alassiouty Sport Resort, Fayoum, Egypt, 11th round of the Egyptian Second Division.

Fayoum SC continue their positive run, getting their second consecutive win, registering 4 wins in their last 5 games, as well as a series of 7 games in which they are undefeated. This time, they faced bottom-classified Qena SC, a team which fought hard for at least one point but had to accept defeat in the end.

In the first half, Fayoum controlled most of the game, built up attacks, reached the opposite goal several times, but did not succeed to score. Qena defended well, tried to reply on sharp breaks, but could not break the deadlock either.

Fayoum started the second half very determined to score as early as possible, and they succeeded. Mahmoud Abd Elsalam Gresha executed a free kick from the left side, Qena defense cleared the ball to the opposite half, where Mahmoud Kamal "Schmeichel" took possession and sent the ball back into Qena's box, right into the feet of Abdel Moati Mohamed, who finished, shooting to the far corner of the goal: 1-0 (48').

Fayoum SC players and staff congratulate Abdel Moati Mohamed for the goal. Source: Fayoum SC Facebook page

The game changed completely after the goal, as Qena moved forward, and Fayoum retreated and defended their minimal advantage. The visitors had several goal opportunities, but Fayoum could have also increased their lead on the counterattack.

Despite the high number of chances, the score remained the same until the end. Fayoum climbed only one place and are now in sixth position, but they have the same number of points as the fourth and the fifth classified, and are just one point behind the third classified, Asyut Petroleum. 

Qena are now bottom of the table, as Media got one point in this round. Their situation is increasingly difficult.

The big surprise is at the top of the table, where KIMA Aswan are leaders for the first time. For the moment, it looks like the promotion to the Premier League will be a local affair in the city of Aswan, as the two Aswan teams are best classified and had an excellent season so far. However, nobody really expected KIMA Aswan to be one of the contenders for the first place.

In the next round, Fayoum SC will have a chance to make some contribution to the issue of the top spot, as they will play away at Aswan SC, the main favourites for promotion and currently second classified, one point behind KIMA Aswan. It will be a very tough match for Fayoum SC, but also a chance to prove that their good form is not just temporary.

On the other hand, Qena will face fourth-classified Aluminium at home. They desperately need the points, but Aluminium are one of the strongest teams in this group and would fight to get as close as possible to the top spot.

Full results, table and fixtures:

Round 11 (18-19 December 2021)

 

Aluminium – Telephonat 3-0

Sohag – Al Madina Al Monawara 2-1

Asyut Petroleum – Beni Suef 1-0

Naser Mallawi – Tamya 1-1

Media – El Minya 2-2

Fayoum – Qena 1-0

KIMA Aswan – El Badari 3-1

Dayrout – Aswan 1-1

 

Table

 

1	KIMA Aswan	11	7	4	0	18-10	25	Promotion to the Premier League
2	Aswan	11	7	3	1	17-8	24
3	Asyut Petroleum	11	5	5	1	15-6	20
4	Aluminium	11	5	4	2	17-8	19
5	El Minya	11	5	4	2	15-8	19
6	Fayoum	11	5	4	2	11-10	19
7	Dayrout	11	4	5	2	11-8	17
8	Beni Suef	11	3	6	2	14-13	15
9	Al Madina Al Monawara	11	3	3	5	14-13	12
10	Tamya	11	3	3	5	9-11	12
11	Naser Mallawi	11	3	3	5	11-16	12
12	Sohag	11	2	5	4	8-10	11
13	El Badari	11	2	2	7	10-23	8	Relegation to the Third Division
14	Telephonat	11	1	4	6	7-15	7	Relegation to the Third Division
15	Media	11	1	4	6	6-16	7	Relegation to the Third Division
16	Qena	11	1	3	7	10-18	6	Relegation to the Third Division

 

In case that two or more teams are equal on points, the main ranking criteria are the results of the head-to-head matches.

 

Round 12 (25 December 2021)

 

Aswan – Fayoum

Beni Suef – Naser Mallawi

Telephonat – KIMA Aswan

El Minya – Sohag

Tamya – Dayrout

El Badari – Media

Al Madina Al Monawara – Asyut Petroleum

Qena – Aluminium

Bourj FC advanced to the quarter-finals of the Lebanese FA Cup after dramatic turn of events

Nabi Chit - Bourj FC 2-2 (1-0), 3-5 at penalty shoot-outs

Malik Al Moussawi 27' (penalty), Hassan Shoman 71' - Abbas Ali Atwi "Onika" 47', Hassan Bitar 90'+3'.

Penalties: Malik Al Moussawi missed, then Muhammad Adnan Al Moussawi, Ali Zain Shukr and Muhammad Matar scored for Nabi Chit; Akram Moghrabi, Khodor Hallak, Abbas Ali Atwi "Onika", Hussein Al Outa (at the second attempt) and goalkeeper Abdelkarim Saleh scored for Bourj FC. Bourj FC started the penalty shoot-outs, and therefore the fifth penalty for Nabi Chit was not executed.

Saturday, 18 December 2021, 1:30 pm local time (11:30 am UTC), Amin Abdelnour Stadium, Bhamdoun (Aley), Lebanon, round of 16 of the Lebanese FA Cup.

On an unusually cold and rainy day, which also affected the pitch, Bourj FC had an unexpectedly difficult game against Nabi Chit, which is currently third in the Second Division, fighting to come back to the Premier League. Nabi Chit were officially the hosts, although the match was played at Amin Abdelnour Stadium in Bhamdoun, the usual home ground for Bourj FC.

Bourj FC starting line-up. Source: Bourj FC Facebook page (photo by Talal Salman)

Bourj FC started the game very offensively, and had lots of goal-scoring opportunities. Between the 8th and the 11th minute of the match, there was a succession of shots, blocked by Nabi Chit goalkeeper Hassan Hussein or the defenders. A free kick executed by Abbas Ali Atwi "Onika" ended up hitting the side post (19'). 

The first time that Nabi Chit reached the opposite box, they scored. They had a corner from the left side, the ball was sent into the box, where Mohamad Kassem tripped Hassan Shoman. The penalty was executed by Malik Al Moussawi: 1-0 (27').

Bourj FC resumed their attacks, but could not equalize before the break, despite their offensive assault. Ali Merkabaoui's header over the cross bar (34') was their biggest chance during this period.

Immediately after the break, however, Bourj FC equalized. Abbas Ali Atwi "Onika" executed a free kick from the right side, something between a cross and a shot, the ball took a wild turn, was touched by the goalkeeper, hit the cross bar, and fell beyond the goal-line: 1-1 (47').

 Nabi Chit goalkeeper, Hassan Hussein, was unable to save the shot sent by Abbas Ali Atwi "Onika": 1-1 (47'). Source: elmaestrosport.com (photo by Talal Salman)

After the goal, Bourj FC attacks declined in intensity, though they still had most of the possession and the game was played almost exclusively in Nabi Chit half. After so much rain, the condition of the pitch got worse by the minute, and it was very difficult to play in certain areas, where ponds formed. These conditions were a clear disadvantage for the offensive and more technical team, Bourj FC, but an advantage for those in defense, Nabi Chit. The game became very physical indeed, and Nabi Chit players accused many injuries, so the game was stopped and fragmented very often.

After 20 minutes of the second half, Nabi Chit launched their first counterattack (65'). It was not a dangerous action, compared to those of Bourj FC, but a sign of warning that they are not going to defend forever. And indeed, a few minutes later, they succeeded to take the lead again, astonishingly, taking advantage of a mistaken offside move made by Boruj FC defense, which left three Nabi Chit forwards alone with one defender (Hassan Bitar) and Bourj FC goalkeeper, and Hassan Shoman scored, assisted by Malik Al Moussawi: 2-1 (71').

Bourj FC intensified their attacks again, getting more desperate as the end of the match neared. One of their problems was that they made four offensive changes at half time, and they only had one substitution in hand, which they used to change the right back. Nabi Chit defended with much determination and wasted time as much as possible. Hussein Ghanem's header hit the cross bar (85'), and a deflected shot by Hassan Mehanna hit the side post (90').

Bourj FC efforts bore fruit however. After one of Youssef Anbar's long throws into the box, the ball was crossed by Hussein Ghanem, Akram Moghrabi's shot was saved by a defender from the goal-line, the ball deflected to Hassan Bitar who scored from short range: 2-2 (90'+3'). Bourj FC even had time to look for the win, but Hassan Mehanna's shot from the right hit the post for the fourth time in this game (90'+5').

The penalties started well for Bourj FC, as Akram Moghrabi scored, while Malik Al Moussawi's shot went into the crossbar and then wide. This small difference was kept right until the end, although there was some controversy related to Bourj FC fourth penalty, executed by Hussein Al Outa. His shot was saved by goalkeeper Hassan Hussein, but the referee decided that the goalkeeper moved outside the goal-line to save the penalty, so Hussein Al Outa repeated the penalty, and scored. Another interesting fact is that the decisive penalty (the fifth one) for Bourj FC was executed and transformed by the goalkeeper, Abdelkarim Saleh. 

Bourj FC won 5-3 at penalties, and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Lebanese FA Cup, where they will face another Second Division team, Racing Beirut, on Wednesday, 22 December 2021.

Nabi Chit: Hassan Hussein - Ali Abbas Al Moussawi, Ali Zain Shukr, Muhammad Adnan Al Moussawi (Abbas Radwan Al Moussawi 46', Karim Moqalim 90'+2'), Malik Al Moussawi, Hassan Shoman (Hassan Ali Shoman 75'), Muhammad Matar, Muhammad Shalhoub (Mohammed Hassan Al Mousa 54'), Muhammad Shukr, Ali Awada, Naji Al Qadri.

Bourj FC: Abdelkarim Saleh - Hamza Abboud (Mohammad El Dor 75'), Khodor Hallak, Hassan Bitar, Ibrahim Abou Hamdan (Youssef Anbar 46') - Mohamad Kassem (Hussein Ibrahim "Saaouk" 46'), Abbas Ali Atwi "Onika", Mohamad Al Faour (Hussein Ghanem 46') - Hussein Al Outa, Hassan Mehanna, Ali Merkabaoui (Akram Moghrabi 46'). Manager: Fouad Hijazi.

Referee: Maher Al Ali.

Yellow cards: Naji Al Qadri and Muhammad Matar (Nabi Chit), Akram Moghrabi and Youssef Anbar (Bourj FC).

In the other matches of the round of 16:

Hikma / La Sagesse - Shabab Sahel 0-0, 5-3 at penalties.
Racing Beirut - AC Tripoli 1-0
Shabab El Bourj - Safa 1-0
Tadamon Sour - Nejmeh 2-2, 6-7 at penalties.
Salam Zgharta - AC Sporting Beirut 1-1, 8-7 at penalties.
Al Akhaa Al Ahly Aley - Al Ahed 0-3
Shabab Al Ghazieh - Ansar 0-3

The quarter-finals of the Lebanese FA Cup will be played on 21 and 22 December, including the following matches:

Ahed - Nejmeh
Hikma / La Sagesse - Shabab El Bourj
Salam Zgharta - Ansar
Racing Beirut - Bourj FC