Fifth Stage: With rain all over the fields, Salam & Tadamoun settles on Draw, Sahel overcomes Sagesse, Nejmeh defeats Safa with a historical corner kick from Hojeij, Al-Ansar, Bourj, Al-Ahed, & Ikhaa earn 3 points of their own right..
January 7, 2002

The rainy weekend of the 5th. stage witnessed scoring of 18 goals from 6 wins. The draw only appearance in the climax match of Salam & Tadamoun reflected the increased awareness at the teams of the importance of each match's 3 points. Meanwhile, the rain remains as the main theme of the stage, with the pools of waters spreading over the fields and the winds preventing the players from showing their best performance.
 

Tadamoun equalizes Salam in the 5th. week climax.. January 6, 2002

Tadamoun Sour tied with Salam Zgharta [1-1] in the match that took place on January 6, 2002 at 2:15 p.m., Tripoli Municipality stadium. The match goals were scored by Wehbeh Eddwaihi [44'] for Salam, & Faisal Antar [81'] for Tadamoun.

Tadamoun dominated much of the time but failed to score early goals. What counts for Tadamoun, the good state of the team represented by organized squad, and proper passes. Salam on their part was not an easy opponent, advanced near the end of the first half, and lacked the flexibility to maintain the lead especially with the forced 3-substitution due to injury Salam coach made on his team that prevented him from modifying his team tactics at times of need. At the same time, Salam players fought hard to maintain the draw, and they created a strong wall inside their area that was able to maintain the result till the end of the match.

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Goal of the season separates Nejmeh from Safa.. January 5, 2002

In one of the games of the weekend a solitary dying minute goal in the last minute of the game played in Beirut’s Sport City separated the two sides, putting a wide gap between the two on the table. The goal proved to be the best of the weekend, a world class corner from none other than superstar Moussa Hojeij at the most crucial point of the game [89’] as the corner curled past all to end this epic battle.

Safa were unlucky not to score in the first half of the game with the amount of golden opportunities they created. They missed no less than three fantastic chances including shots from Walid El-Miri. Nejmeh were not without their own chances in the first period as Nejmeh’s captain hit the post and Sultan Qassem proved crucial in keeping out another chance from Nicolas. However, the real changeover point in the game was when Moussa Hojeij was brought on for the reds. His influence cannot be underestimated as he took and created chances that kept Sultan Qassem busy throughout the half as his counterpart Abdo Tafeh had been previously. Chances fell to Errol McFarlane, Alan Nicolas and Mohammad Halaweh. But in the end nothing could have stopped the minute of magic from the foot of Moussa Hojeij as he took the corner from the left of the Safawian goalmouth and the ball swooped above all heads, but under the post to claim all three crucial points in a fantastic and memorable game.

Safa deserve something for the outstanding performance of their keeper and their attacking persistence in the first half, perhaps they may get it in their next game against Bourj? Is the old Nejmeh back? It was their third win on the trot and they haven’t conceded a goal in the last four. They face a mighty battle against one of the real contenders for the title Tadamoun Tyre – a real 6 pointer!

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Nakid inspires Al-Ansar back to victories.. January 6, 2002

Al-Ansar defeated Homentmen [3-2] in the match that took place on Sunday January 6, 2002 at 2:15 p.m., Beirut Municipality stadium. The match goals were scored by David Nakid [13', 23'], & Peter Prosper [67'] for Al-Ansar, and Sarkis Donabedian [17'], & Krikor Alozian [44'] for Homentmen.

Al-Ansar found himself in front of Homentmen, and with the warm come back of the long waited Maestro David Nakid who didn't disappoint its fans, and scored twice for his team, one of which came from his own version of the Platini's free kick on the 13th. minute putting his team in the lead. Al-Ansar goal keeper, and defensive mistakes are to be blamed for the 2 goals conceded. In the second half, the greens got used to the watery field situation, and scored the winner by another guy from Trinidad & Tobago Peter Prospar. Ornament

Al-Ansar regained the melody of victories, the championship is still in the start, and the greens are entitled to bid for a better place on the table, perhaps the top spot is not far from reach with some extra effort. Homentmen on their part, should consider their situation carefully, the Historical Armenian team is not in a good situation in the championship table, and should do something about it very soon.

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Sahel Defeated Sagesse [2-0]..
January 6, 2002

Shabab Sahel defeated Sagesse [2-0] in the match that took place on Sunday January 6, 2002 at 5:00 p.m., Beirut Sports City stadium. The match goals were scored by Ali Moussa [55'], & Mahmoud Majeed [68'].

The events of nature dominated, and the rain was all over the match, and pools of water spread over the field. Both teams were asked to fight against each other, and the forces of nature. Sahel succeeded where Sagesse failed at. Backed by the excellent performance from their goal keeper Ali Fakih, solid defense by Mohammad Kheireddine, organized midfield led by Yasser Mansour, and energetic forward Majeed - Mohammad, Sahel were able to bring the greens their first defeat of the season. Sagesse, on their part, were hugely affected by the very bad situation of the field, this was translated by the absence of fast attacks of Mohammad Kassas, & Vartan efforts in the midfield. Tomi tried to get back to the midfield, and was about to score without the presence of Ali Fakih ex-Goal Keeper of Sagesse who was present to deny the greens many real goal opportunities.

Sahel sees himself advances toward the 2nd. place with goal difference separating him from Salam and the top spot. Sagesse despite having the top attack line of the championship so far might sees this match as an opportunity to reconsider its defense line who conceded 13 goals responsible for many of the pitfalls so far.

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Al-Ahed come back against desperate Homenmen.. January 5, 2002

Al-Ahed continued their undefeated run with ease as they put 3 past hosts Homenmen in Bourj Hammoud. Goal scorers were David Amayni [29’], Hassan Deeb [45’] and Didier Tambourah [59’] for the visitors, while the scorer of the home side’s sole goal was Hassan Ibrahim [7’].

Homenmen took the initiative in the game and took the game to their visitors. They even took the lead in a game that they needed points from thanks to a good piece of team play ending with a sliding shot from Hassan Ibrahim into the net. The only thing then that stopped the hosts from scoring again was Ahed’s defense by numbers as they crammed the box. Ahed got back into the game however to net twice before the half-time whistle as David Amayni leveled the score as he whacked a half-volley past Homenmen’s Ali Bazzi. Youssef Farhat then crossed beautifully from the left wing which was met by a great diving header from Hassan Deeb, taking the yellows [2-1] up at half-time. Both sides had opportunities in the second half, but only a corner from Youssef Farhat provided a goal as Didier Tambourah got high enough between the defenders surrounding him to swing his head and the ball for Ahed’s 3rd and final goal of the game.

Homenmen scored only their second league goal in this game and they will not have any easy season. Ahed continue to show that they, like Bourj, are enjoying top flight football too much to go back down after only one season.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Bourj take no prisoners against Ahley Saida.. January 5, 2002

Bourj’s third win in a row was against the division’s bottom side Ahley Saida in Safa FC stadium in sunny south Beirut. Goal scorers were Mohammad Al-Daqa [32’], Khalil Watfa [45’] and visitor Tori Toronko past his own keeper [89’]. The 3-0 victory taking them surprisingly to 3rd in the league.

Ahley Saida only had one real chance of a goal in the first half, but it was Bourj who claimed the goals. Mohammad Al-Daqa netted the first as he lobbed the visitor’s keeper to take his side into the lead. Just before half-time Khalil Watfa had been left in the six-yard box unmarked as a Bourj corner had failed to be cleared. Watfa made no mistake as he received the ball and planted it past the stranded sea of red Sidon shirts. Bourj looked as if they were going to extend their 2-0 lead after the break, especially through influential Darlington Chivozi, but alas none of the newly-promoted side’s players could net their third goal. Their third goal came in the last couple of minutes of the game when salt was thrown on the wide-open Ahley injury as a great cross was accidentally buried past the young Mohammad Santina by his own team-mate Tori Toronko.

Can Bourj continue to ride near the top of the table, or will they come crashing down against Safa? Ahley Saida’s 3rd [3-0] league defeat in only 5 games shows there is nowhere else but down for this southern side.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Ikhaa takes his breath, and overcomes Racing [1-0].. January 6, 2002

Ikhaa Ahley Aley claimed their first victory of the season after defeating Racing [1-0] in the match that took place on Sunday January 6, 2002 at 2:15 p.m., Jounieh Municipality stadium. The match goal was scored by Gilberto [4'].

What we said in Sahel x Sagesse match applies here. The bad rainy situation of the field blocked both teams from presenting a legitimate Football match. Instead both were counting for each other defense lines' mistakes as the sole provider of opportunities. At the same time, Ikhaa provided a better second half with the entry of the team star Zaher El-Indari who added much strength to the forward line, and caused much disturbance to Racing defensive tools. Good come back for Ikhaa, more to come, and for Racing, the rainy weather might be an excuse, but the 3 points turned their smiling faces toward the more dedicating side.

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