Third Stage: Nejmeh, Bourj, Safa the major winners.. Salam stopped by Ahley..
December 24, 2001

Third stage of the 41st. Lebanese Football Championship witnessed the come back of Nejmeh Club to the victories with [3-0] defeat over Ikhaa Ahley, Bourj shared the best performance in the season with Homentmen and defeated him [1-0], Safa defeated its host Tadamoun in Sour [1-0]. Salam Zgharta failed to continue the winning streak, and settled on a positive draw [1-1] with Ahley Saida. Other results included Bourj winning over Homentmen [1-0], Shabab Sahel over Homenmen [1-0], & Al-Ansar draw with Al-Ahed [1-1]. Mixed results in the championship with all team losing points to each other. A promising start for a highly exciting season.
 

Nejmeh took a refreshing breath with 3 goals against Ikhaa Ahley
December 27, 2001

Nejmeh defeated Ikhaa Ahley Aley [3-0] in the match that took place on Thursday December 27, 2001 at 5:00 p.m., Beirut Sports City stadium. The match goals were all scored by Errol McFarlane [10', 16' p., & 91']. Nejmeh re-entered the championship with a refreshing breath, and 3 goals from its Trinidadian striker Errol McFarlane. Nejmeh technical manager Omar Mizian participated with new faces including defender Khaled Hamieh, Zein El-Abedin Saad, & Terro Kehian. Familiar faces on the bench included Jamal El-Hajj, Moussa Hojeij, who returned to the team after a period of dispute with the team management, Yahia Hashem, Sarkis Abajian, and others. Nejmeh performance went better, scored early goals, and missed several shots over the 90 minutes. Ikhaa situation is going from bad to worse. The current standing is the lowest for the mountain team in many years. Club officials should study the situation, and analyze the weak points that are hindering the team from occupying an advanced position in the league table.

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Bourj defeats Homentmen [1-0] in great thriller
December 27, 2001

Bourj defeated Homentmen [1-0] in the match that took place on Thursday December 27, 2001 at 2:15 p.m., Bourj Hammoud stadium. The match goal was scored by Darlington [81']. Both teams presented their top performance in the season so far. While the first half was equal in terms of dominance, the second half went to a great extent to the Orange team up to the moment of substitution of Krikor Alozian, & Rafi Julfaji, the dominance turned to Bourj who started to threaten Bourj area, and the consequence came on the 81st. minute through Nigeria import Darlington who together with his compatriot defender Chinodo were the MVPs of the match with their excellent performance. As for Homentmen, when the game is excellent, loss don't count that much, the youth players are promising a lot in the coming stages.

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Tadamoun lose out at home to Safa
December 26, 2001

Tadamoun are known to lose on home soil to Safa – the last two seasons it was 2-0, but perhaps optimists in Tyre can look at the game as a good result as it was only a defeat by half that margin.  The hosts played marginally better football in the first half with international Faisal Antar the most noticeable player on the field.  The home side missed no less than four chances, while the visitors from Beirut had two as the first half remained goal-less.  Goalkeeper Hassan Rammal playing a crucial role in allowing Safa the chance to win the game in the second half.  More chances went affray in the second period as Haitham Zein’s third game missing from the Tadamoun front line surely played a role in the Tadamoun goal drought.  Safa had no problems though as former Sagesse and current Lebanese international Salmao Salhah netted in the winner [80’] following a cross from Nabih El-Jurdi.  Safa lavishly top the table if only for a day thanks to this important result, Tadamoun left wondering if their luck will improve, while Safa must prepare for another top of the table clash against this seasons surprise contenders Salam Zgharta.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Sagesse put 3 past defiant RC Beirut
December 26, 2001

Sagesse missed plenty of chances during the game as Racing’s keeper proved to be their best asset of the game.  However it was former international star Hassan Ayyoub who netted Sagesse’s first very early on in the game [5’] with a great header.  The second goal game from good Sagesse team-work as Mohammad Kassas put another past Ali Jubeili [31’].  It seemed to be going easily for the Greens as their only problem was that they should have been further in the lead.  Then three minutes into injury time Ahmad Jradi netted Racing's first conciliatory goal [45’], taking the sides 2-1 into the break.  Sagesse then struck again only five minutes after the kick-off as Brazilian Tommy netted in the Greens third [50’] thanks to Vartan Ghazarian who while scored nothing himself played an influential part of the game.  Ahmad Jradi then claimed another to his name [81’], but by then it was too late for a Racing revival and Sagesse continue their climb to the top.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Second draws for Al-Ahed and Al-Ansar
December 26, 2001

Al-Ahed at least for one day remain in the top half of the table after they held Al-Ansar for the two sides second draw of the competition.  The Greens took the lead through Mahmoud Itani [16’] heading in the ball after a free-kick situation.  Al-Ahed had their fair chances on the goalmouth too with Malian Didier Tambourah having a definite presence on the field.  He lobbed Al-Ahed best chance of the first half behind the keepers net.  However, Hassan Deeb netted Al-Ahed equalizer [77’], again a header that followed on from a free-kick this time from the foot of Youssef Farhat.  Both sides are now on 5 points a piece, Al-Ahed ahead only on goals scored.  Al-Ahed certainly a better force than the side that dropped out of the top flight two seasons ago.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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