Goalless draw between Bourj FC and Al Mabarra in the second round of the Lebanese League

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

Al Mabarra starting line-up. 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'. 

Universitario de Deportes made a big step for a third consecutive title, Cusco FC lost a big opportunity

Universitario de Deportes 3-2 Cusco FC

Valera 22', 66' penalty, Riveros 26' - Callejo 34', Tévez 86' penalty

Saturday, 27 September 2025, 6 pm local time (11 pm UTC), Monumental Stadium, Lima, Peru, 11th round of Clausura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Universitario de Deportes starting line-up. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

The top two teams in the Clausura table met on Saturday evening in what could have been the decisive match for this year's title in Peruvian First Division. Cusco FC, after 16 matches unbeaten, had just surprisingly lost at home 2-0 to ADT Tarma, missing the chance to top the table right before the derby against Universitario. On the other hand, Universitario de Deportes are unbeaten in Clausura and had the advantage of their home ground, where they are heavily supported by their numerous fans. More than that, Universitario de Deportes are already winners of the Apertura, so winning the Clausura will bring them the title automatically, without the need for a play-off. Now they seem closer than ever to this third consecutive title, after enlarging the gap between them and second classified Cusco FC from two points to five points.

There were many hard-fought duels in the match. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

The game started well, with both teams trying to open up the opposite defense, and a number of good opportunities at both ends. However, set pieces proved to be decisive in this match. The home side managed to break the deadlock after a corner kick, which followed an obvious trained scheme, with a short pass to Pérez Guedes, who crossed to the near post to Álex Valera, who scored with his left foot despite the opposition from a Cusco defender: 1-0 (22').

Álex Valera scored the first goal of the game. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

Less than four minutes later, after another corner, Universitario doubled their advantage. This time, Jairo Concha crossed the ball in the middle of the box, Fuentes and goalkeeper Díaz failed to clear, and Williams Riveros was in the right place to touch the ball with his body and tap it in: 2-0 (26').

Williams Riveros saluting the crowd after scoring the second goal of the match. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

It seemed like the game was over, but nonetheless Cusco FC replied shortly after. Marlon Ruidias crossed from the right side, and Facundo Callejo, the goalscorer of the competition, headed the ball in from inside the box: 2-1 (34').

Facundo Callejo (in black) headed the ball in, putting Cusco FC back in the game. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

In the second half, both teams pushed for more goals, Universitario to regain a more suitable advantage, and Cusco FC to equalize. However, the main Cusco FC striker, Facundo Callejo, left the field injured in the first minutes of the second half, reducing the offensive potential of the team. Universitario were more straight forward, initiating many actions, especially on the sides. In one such action, Marlon Ruidias touched unintentionally the ball with his hand inside the box, changing slightly the trajectory of the ball. After reviewing the action, with the help of VAR, the referee awarded a penalty for Universitario, and Álex Valera converted the penalty: 3-1 (66').

Álex Valera is congratulated by his teammates for converting the penalty. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

Universitario de Deportes looked quite pleased with a two-goal advantage, leaving Cusco FC in control of the game, while they retreated in defensive mood, and ready to launch counter-attacks. Cusco FC tried hard, but succeeded little. However, they came back to one goal difference towards the end of the game. Juan Manuel Tévez was assisted in the box, but Matías Di Benedetto pushed him and Tévez fell. The referee reviewed once again carefully, with the help of VAR, and decided once again to award a penalty, this time for Cusco FC. Tévez converted: 3-2 (86').

 Juan Manuel Tévez converted the penalty for Cusco FC. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Nevertheless, in the remaining minutes, Cusco FC did not have enough strength to equalize, and Universitario won three big points, which make them favourites to win a third consecutive title this autumn. Cusco FC remain in the battle for the second place, and they still have a fighting chance even for the first place in the Clausura (and therefore a chance to qualify for the play-offs), but they need to get back to winning form, and Universitario to lose some points in the upcoming matches.

Universitario: Britos - Santamaría, Riveros, Di Benedetto - Polo, Pérez Guedes (Rivera 89'), Castillo (Murrugarra 74'), Concha (Reyna 89'), Carabalí (Inga 69') - Vélez (Flores 69'), Valera. Manager: Jorge Fossati.

Cusco: Díaz - Ruidias (Zevallos 66'), Fuentes, Gamarra, Ampuero (Custodio 86') - Díez (Aucca 86'), Valenzuela - N. Silva (Da Silva 67'), Colman, Colitto - Callejo (Tévez 48'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Daniel Ureta.

Yellow cards: Riveros 84' - Ampuero 1', Tévez 88'. 

Cusco FC will have a very difficult game on Tuesday evening, at home against their local rivals, Deportivo Garcilaso, while Universitario de Deportes will play away at Alianza Atlético de Sullana. 

Full results, tables and fixtures:

 

Round 11 (25-28 September 2025)

 

Ayacucho FC – Juan Pablo II College 2-1

Deportivo Garcilaso – UTC Cajamarca 0-0

Alianza Universidad – Sport Boys 2-3

ADT Tarma – Alianza Atlético 1-0

Atlético Grau – Sport Huancayo 3-1

Comerciantes Unidos – FBC Melgar 1-1

Universitario de Deportes – Cusco FC 3-2

Cienciano – Alianza Lima 2-1

Los Chankas – Deportivo Binacional cancelled

Sporting Cristal bye

 

Round 12 (29 September – 2 October 2025)

 

UTC Cajamarca – Los Chankas 2-0

Sporting Cristal – Ayacucho FC 3-0

Sport Huancayo – Alianza Universidad 5-1

Juan Pablo II College – ADT Tarma 1-1

Cusco FC – Deportivo Garcilaso

Alianza Atlético – Universitario de Deportes

Alianza Lima – Atlético Grau

FBC Melgar – Cienciano

Deportivo Binacional – Comerciantes Unidos cancelled

Sport Boys bye

 

Clausura table

 

1	Universitario de Deportes	10	7	3	0	18-8	24	Qualified for the play-offs
2	Sporting Cristal	10	5	4	1	18-5	19
3	Cusco FC	9	6	1	2	13-8	19
4	Deportivo Garcilaso	10	4	6	0	14-8	18
5	ADT Tarma	11	5	2	4	12-13	17
6	Alianza Lima	10	4	3	3	15-11	15
7	Cienciano	10	4	3	3	16-13	15
8	Sport Huancayo	12	4	3	5	22-20	15
9	FBC Melgar	11	3	5	3	16-13	14
10	Atlético Grau	10	4	2	4	15-13	14
11	Comerciantes Unidos	10	3	3	4	11-15	12
12	Los Chankas	9	4	0	5	12-22	12
13	Juan Pablo II College	10	2	5	3	9-11	11
14	Alianza Atlético	9	2	4	3	6-4	10
15	Ayacucho FC	11	3	1	7	8-17	10
16	Alianza Universidad	11	3	1	7	12-23	10
17	Sport Boys	11	2	3	6	8-15	9
18	UTC Cajamarca	10	1	3	6	8-14	6

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.

 

Aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura)

 

1	Universitario de Deportes	28	19	6	3	56-20	63	Qualified for play-offs & CL
2	Cusco FC	27	16	5	6	47-28	53	Qualified for play-offs & CL
3	Alianza Lima	28	15	7	6	38-22	52	Qualified for C. Libertadores
4	Sporting Cristal	28	15	6	7	49-29	51	Qualified for C. Libertadores
5	Deportivo Garcilaso	28	12	9	7	42-27	45	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
6	FBC Melgar	29	11	12	6	44-33	45	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
7	Sport Huancayo	30	13	6	11	45-41	45	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
8	Alianza Atlético	27	13	5	9	34-22	44	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
9	ADT Tarma	29	11	8	10	36-43	41
10	Cienciano	28	9	11	8	45-38	38
11	Atlético Grau	28	9	9	10	38-37	36
12	Los Chankas	27	9	8	10	36-47	35
13	Juan Pablo II College	28	7	9	12	29-39	30
14	Sport Boys	29	7	8	14	34-43	29
15	Ayacucho FC	29	7	4	18	22-44	25
16	UTC Cajamarca	28	6	7	15	25-48	25
17	Comerciantes Unidos	28	5	8	15	28-46	23	Relegation to Liga 2
18	Alianza Universidad	29	5	6	18	28-56	21	Relegation to Liga 2
19	Deportivo Binacional (R)	18	4	6	8	20-33	18	Relegated to Liga 2

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.

 

R – relegated

 

Round 13 (3-5 October 2025)

 

Comerciantes Unidos – UTC Cajamarca

Los Chankas – Cusco FC

ADT Tarma – Sporting Cristal

Sport Boys – Sport Huancayo

Alianza Universidad – Alianza Lima

Deportivo Garcilaso – Alianza Atlético

Atlético Grau – FBC Melgar

Universitario de Deportes – Juan Pablo II College

Cienciano – Deportivo Binacional cancelled

Ayacucho FC bye