Sixth Stage: Shabab Sahel moves to the top with one goal win over Homentmen, Nejmeh & Tadamoun draws in the climax match of the week, Safa brings heavy lesson to Bourj, Ahley Saida gets the first win..
January 12, 2002
 

With each team dominating half time, Nejmeh & Tadamoun reconcile on draw [1-1] January 10, 2002

Nejmeh tied with Tadamoun Sour [1-1] in the match that took place on Thursday January 10, 2002 at 5:00 p.m., Beirut Sports City stadium. The match goals were scored by Moussa Hojeij  from a free kick for Nejmeh [11'], and Haidar Najem equalized [83'] for Tadamoun.

Both teams presented a great match equivalent to their reputation. In the first half, Nejmeh dominated, and had many opportunities, scored a wonderful goal with a free kick from Moussa Hojeij on the 11th. minute that put his team in the lead. Nejmeh continued its domination, and denied Tadamoun the slightest presence on the pitch through closely marking the key players in Tadamoun Antar, Shweikh, & Kennedy.

In the second half, Tadamoun players woke up, and started to return into the match, and supported by the reduced performance of Nejmeh in the second half, they were able to dominate the area for the next 45 minutes, missing many opportunities, an finally equalizing with a larger-than-life effort from Haidar Najem who overcome Nejmeh defense line, and goal keeper all by himself to bring his team into the match though too late to score another winner.

Highly considered as a fair result, the draw made no large help to both teams who were eager for the match 3 points. Anyway, 2 poles of the Lebanese Football provided a great match, and entertained most of the fans in a cold winter night.

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Shabab al Sahel take top spot as they beat Homenetmen.. January 9, 2002

Another home defeat at Bourj Hammoud – no surprises there. Yet this slim defeat separated the sides on opposite ends of the table as Sahel ended up in the unusual top spot thanks to a late goal from Ahmed Safah [81’] as Homenetmen lie second from bottom with only two points from the last six games.

Shabab Sahel are one of only 3 still undefeated clubs in the top flight as they also showed why they have the best defensive record of any team, through their tight back line. The winning goal came thanks to a corner from midfielder Adnan Mohammad. Homentmen could not clear the ball before Ahmed Safah claimed his first goal of the season and a precious three points for league leaders Shabab al Sahel.

Shabab Sahel next face Ikhaa Ahley Aley who had a break due to a postponed game. While Homentmen are surely doomed for the relegation they would have certainly have earned last season, were it not for the fiasco.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Safa finds himself and defeats Bourj with three goals.. January 10, 2002

Safa defeated Bourj [3-0-] in the match that took place on Thursday January 10, 2002 at 2:15 p.m., Safa stadium. The match goals were scored by Salmao Salhah [6'], Khalil Ali ['35 Own goal], Walid el-Miri [64'].

Safa dominated the match against Bourj, and scored three times over the 90 minutes in front of a spirit-less opponent. Safa's generous effort was translated by the energy of defense line Shleikh-Taleb, midfield efforts with Naamani, Sheikho, Ali Wassef Mohammad, & Walid el-Miri, Abdullah Hommsi tried as much as possible in the forward line to score a goal without being able due to the close marking on him. As for Bourj, they suffered close marking on Darlington, and the inefficient effort from the midfield and forward line. Nazih Tay goal keeper of Bourj made a good effort, but He is asked about the 3rd. goal that entered the target under his hands.

The match result reflected the field dominance, and helped Safa get over his last week loss [0-1] to Nejmeh.

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Ahley Sidon claim first victory in a battle at the bottom.. January 9, 2002

Both sides needed points from this game played at Jounieh’s Municipal Fouad Chehab Stadium, but Racing were to lie in bottom spot as a ray of sunshine shone for the southerners playing on the water-drenched pitch. The visitors put three past RC Beirut, waiting for the chance of an opener from the penalty spot.

They thought it would be a goal-less first half until almost the end of injury time when Hussein Ajjour was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Until this point the visitors had only scored 2 league goals from 5 encounters. Hussein Hassoun stepped up to convert the kick [45’] and take his side leading at the break. Ahley Sidon were clearly the side deserving of a victory as Reds not only managed to score on two more occasions, it was their first game in which they had conceded nothing in their own net! Senegali Madeo Konati [61’] netted the visitors second, striking the ball past RC’s keeper as he got ever closer to the goalmouth thanks to Mahmoud Wehbeh. The goal scorers replacement was the scorer of Ahley’s third goal as Rashid al-Bobbo [88’] lobbed the keeper after receiving a powerful pass from team-mate Hassan Khaskieh.

So Ahley Sidon clearly going back home with smiles on their faces for an important victory, even if it was notably against one of the weakest sides in the division. At least they don’t occupy bottom spot this week, but what is in store for RC Beirut as they are surely destined for as the men have almost already been separated from the boys this season.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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The goal keepers efforts led to a draw between Salam & Homenmen [1-1]..
January 10, 2002

Homenmen tied with Salam Zgharta [1-1] in the match that took place on Thursday January 10, 2002 at 2:15 p.m., Bourj Hammoud stadium. the match goals were scored by Moussa Abou Baker [52'] for Salam, and Hassan Ibrahim [68'] for Homenmen.

Salam lost the lead of the championship after failing to defeat Homenmen in last Thursday match. Salam presented a below average performance, and got lost into the red defensive tools of Homenmen. Rabih Othman, and Wehbeh Eddwaihi failed to impress the audience, and seems to have lost their touches of the first 5 stages. On the other hand, Moussa Abou Baker made a generous effort, and stood as the man of the match for Salam. On the other hand, Homenmen presented a good performance, with accurate passes, and good plan of attacks, and would have scored more than 1 goal through the personal attempts of Hassan Ibrahim who preferred to continue on his own missing on his team a lot of opportunities. Salam advanced on the 52nd. minute by Abou Baker, and later Homenmen were able to equalize on the 68th. minute through Hassan Ibrahim who brought his team an important point that pushed him a little upward on the league table. Salam lost the lead to Shabab Sahel, and had a much more difficult task against Nejmeh on Sunday.

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 Ahed manage to hold Sagesse back from the top.. January 9, 2002

Ahed's fourth draw in six league games continued their undefeated run as they faced championship contenders Sagesse in Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium. Ahed took the lead through their top goal scorer Youssef al-Jawhari [31’]. However, their lead was short lived as Sagesse quickly leveled the score line [37’ pen] through their top marksman Mohammad Qassas. Now both players have five goals to their credit, while their respective teams have only a point from their 90 minutes on the soaked field.

Ali Darwish had set up Ahed's goal through a lengthy cross. Al-Jawhari soared in the air as nobody was there in the Green defense to stop the header making it into the back of the net. Ahed's Ali Darwish was instrumental in the equalizer too. After bringing down Tommy Jiacomali in the box as the Brazilian import was playing some neat football with domestic star Vartan Ghazarian. The inevitable penalty was converted and saved face for a side looking for the title.

Ahed continue to prove the surprise of the season and maintain their position just behind their match day opponents. These two sides will surely have an easy time against their next opponents the two relegation bound Armenian clubs.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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