Fourteenth Stage: Sagesse continues the league campaign with [1-0] win over Racing, Nejmeh defeats Homentmen [5-2] but fails to impress, Sahel defeats Ahley Saida [2-0], Bourj outplays Ikhaa [3-0], Tadamoun overcomes Ansar [1-0], Salam defeats Ahed [2-0], Safa turns its deficit into a [2-1] victory against Homenmen..
March 05, 2002

 

RC Beirut v Sagesse 0-1..
March 2, 2002

Only one goal separated the two teams at the top and bottom of the table as 1,500 spectators came to Bourj Hammoud’s stadium to watch this once classic derby. It was clear who would get the points from before the game begun but Sagesse didn’t go all out and that was shown in the narrow score line.

Top goal scorer Mohammad Qassas remained in his pole position as he netted Hikmeh’s only goal [33’] as netted after a neat cross in front of the goalmouth. His 12th league goal was part of Hikmeh’s 9th league game without defeat. They keep their lead over Nejmeh at the top as the Green’s games will get consecutively harder to the finale versus Nejmeh, the game that opened the season with a 9-goal spectacular, Sagesse the victors back then by the odd-goal.

So while not the best start to the season for Sagesse can things only get better? Racing on the other hand still lie in bottom with three points from as many draws. They may have to wait till near the end of the season to claim their first victory this season, they have little chance if any of staying alive in the top flight next season.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Nejmeh defeats Homenetmen [5-2]..
March 3, 2002

Nejmeh defeated Homenetmen [5-2] in the match that took place on Sunday March 3, 2002 at 2:45 p.m., Beirut Sports City stadium. The match goals were scored by Bilal Fleifel [47', 75'], Abbas Atoui [55'], Terro Kehian [91'], & Mohammad Halaweh [93'] for Nejmeh, & Peter [50'], & Izzat Khalil [88'] for Homenetmen.

Nejmeh made a large victory over Homenetmen [5-2] in Sunday's match. The score sheet doesn't reflect the match dominance. Nejmeh dominated the first half, but lacked appropriate finishing of attacks, at the same time Homentmen hit the post once, and defended their area very well. In the second half, Nejmeh advanced by Fleifel, and conceded a quick goal by Peter, Homentmen were about to advance with a penalty kick that was saved by Wahid Fattal GK of Nejmeh on the 54th. minute. Then Nejmeh restored their breath, and advanced by Abbas Atoui [55'] with a long range shot, and again by Bilal Fleifel [75'], Homentmen reduced the score sheet with a free kick that hit the wall and deflected inside the target by Izzat Khalil [88'] then Homentmen missed the equalizer by Mohair Berberian shot that went wide in the lethal time after which Nejmeh scored twice by Terro Kehian [91'], & Mohammad Halaweh [93'] to seal a large win for Nejmeh. The match spectators were not convinced by Nejmeh performance especially its defense line that faced much trouble during the match. Homentmen might preparing itself for the 2nd. division inescapable fate.

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Ahley Sidon v Shabab al Sahel [0-2]..
March 2, 2002

Shabab al Sahel claimed a [2-0] victory in Tyre’s Municipal stadium [100 crowd] against relegation bound Ahley Sidon to try to keep the heat on Nejmeh and Sagesse at the top of the table.

Both goals came in the first half of the game as Mahmoud Majeed converted a clearly awarded penalty [20’] to open the scoring with his 11th league goal (3rd from the spot) by the No. 10. Istambouli, Konati, Baalbaki were all amongst the list of Ahley players who missed fantastic opportunities for the reds. Sahel’s second goal came from some good team work as a long free-kick was met by a headed pass to Ahmad Safah. Safah controlled the ball on his chest before volleying the ball into the back of the net [42’]. The Reds continued to miss opportunities as they frustratingly failed to beat the keeper. The Blues also had their fair chances in the second period but without so much worry as three points were already in the bag.

So the two teams continue to lie on opposite ends of the table, third from the top and bottom respectively. Ahley Sidon have little chance of gaining even one relegation saving point in their next game against championship contenders Nejmeh. Shabab al Sahel face Homenmen in their next game another team looking for some points to clear them from the bottom four.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Ikhaa Ahley Aley v Bourj [0-3]..
March 2, 2002

Bourj are really into the number three nowadays. Apart from their first two games, it’s been 3 wins, 3 losses, 3 draws and they complete their latest run of 3 wins with a [3-0] shock victory over Ikhaa Ahley in Beirut’s Municipal Stadium [500 crowd].

Ikhaa have nobody to blame but themselves for their lack of impact on the score sheet as chances were missed left, right and centre. While Bourj, who may not have had as many opportunities managed to hit the back of the net three times. A free-kick across the goalmouth was met by a header that ricochet of the post and Abbas Atoui placed the rebound into the back of the net early on in the game [4’]. A series of missed opportunities set the scene for the rest of the half. The second half was also opened with a Bourj goal as a sea of yellow shirts in Ikhaa’s six-yard box ended with goalmouth scramble Darlington ending it by scoring his 8th league goal [48’]. Abbas Atoui then blasted in Bourj's dream third goal [87’] against Ikhaa pulling them level on points and jumped up two spots on the table to 7th just above their opponents.

It looks as from form, Bourj will lose their next three games and with games against Tadamoun, Safa and Shabab al Sahel, that is entirely possible. Ikhaa have dropped four spots from 4th in two games, their next game against the other promoted team Ahed well provide them with a good chance to jump back up the table.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz

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Tadamoun Sour overcomes Ansar [1-0].. March 3, 2002

Tadamoun Sour defeated Al-Ansar [1-0] in the match that took place on Sunday March 3, 2002 at 2:45 p.m., Sour stadium. The match goal was scored by Nasrat el-Jamal [75'].

Tadamoun Sour stars overcame Al-Ansar youth players [1-0] in Sunday match in Sour. The match attended by many of the Tyre Club Fans witnessed a great performance from the Green youth who imposed themselves on the Tadamoun stars despite missing the ability to score goals necessary to win the match. Tadamoun on their part lacked the coherence, and for a while all of their stars and well known players played on their own, and made private efforts, the persistent negative draw called for Nasrat el-Jamal who entered late in the match but soon enough to score the winner for his team and send them forward in the league table. Sadly, some of the fans outside the stadium attacked Al-Ansar team bus while going back to Beirut leaving some of Al-Ansar team with injuries, as well as material damages to the Bus. The players were moved to hospital, and the fans were arrested and delivered to the Lebanese army.

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Salam defeats Ahed [2-0].. March 3, 2002

Shabab Sahel defeated Al-Ahed [2-0] in the match that took place on Sunday March 3, 2002 at 2:45 p.m., Beirut Municipality stadium. The match goals were scored by Sayed Bou Antoune [17'], & Simbakor Sissy [93'].

Salam overcome Al-Ahed with their enthusiasm, and dominated the whole match with their energy. Salam advanced early with Sayed BouAntoune, Al-Ahed tried to equalize many times, and had their best opportunity missed when Wissam el-Hakim failed to translate a penalty kick into a goal [78'] after which Salam restored their pace, and scored in the extra time by Simbakor Sissy to pay back Ahed for their home defeat [2-0] in Tripoli of the first round.

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Safa turns its deficit into a [2-1] win over Homenmen.. March 3, 2002

Safa defeated Homenmen [2-1] in the match that took place on Sunday March 3, 2002 at 2:45 p.m., Safa stadium. The match goals were scored by Hassan Ibrahim [4'] for Homenmen, and Gerard Boyam [39'], & Marios Betek [73'] for Safa.

Safa turned its [0-1] first half deficit into a [2-1] victory over Homenmen in Sunday match that was led by Lebanese International referee Nabeel Ayyad who returned from a leg injury that put him away from the Lebanese fields since the beginning of the season.

Homenmen started the match attacking and scored an early goal, and ever after Safa dominated with continuous attempts to equalize that were only achieved later on the 39th. minute by Boyam, & 73rd. by Betek. Safa stayed near the top in 4th. place with 26 pts while Homenmen remained 11th. with 10 pts.


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