Sixteenth Stage: Sagesse defeats Ahley [3-1], Nejmeh defeats Homenmen [3-0], Sahel, Bourj defeated Safa [4-3], Tadamoun defeated Ahed [3-1], Salam defeated Ikhaa [4-0], Sahel defeated Ansar [1-0], & Racing tied with Homenetmen [2-2]..
March 15, 2002

 

Ahley Sidon vs. Sagesse.. March 10, 2002

Sagesse ‘s Tommy Jiacomelli netted twice in the first half of the league game played in Safa’s club ground [500 crowd] with only a late reply from the southerners to claim three valuable points as the end of the season draws closer.

Tommy gave the Greens the lead before the half-hour mark thanks to a great diving header [22’]. He then ensured the gap was doubled a minute before the break [44’], making the most of a goalmouth scramble. Ahley’s only goal came as no more than a consolation for the relegation-bound southern outfit. It came from Marwan Khaled in the dying minutes of the game, giving the side no point value.

Ahley have little if any chance of remaining in the top flight for another season, while Sagesse must improve on recent results as their opponents get harder. Their next fixture against Homenmen will be their last easy game of a season which could be one to celebrate for year to come.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz
 

Homenmen vs. Nejmeh.. March 10, 2002

Nejmeh netted three times without reply in Beirut’s Municipal Stadium [4,000 spectators] to claim another three points as they continue the pressure on fellow title contenders Sagesse.

Mohamed Ibrahim set up none other than Moussa Hojeij for the opening goal of the game as his cross from the right-wing of the pitch was met by a flying header from the midfield maestro Moussa [26’]. Nejmeh came out to increase their lead after the mid-time break and wasted no time whatsoever as Bilal Fleifel hit the back of the net [46’]. Abbas Atoui completed the rout as he played a neat bit of football with Moussa Hojeij before placing his name on the scoreboard [79’].

Nejmeh are clearly something for Sagesse to worry about since Nejmeh have been able to keep up their good results of late while Sagesse have struggled to create such a gap between them and their modest opposition.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz
 

Bourj x Safa.. March 11, 2002

Bourj defeated Safa [4-3] in the match that took place on Monday March 11, 2002 at 2:45 p.m., Beirut Municipality stadium. The match goals were scored by Darlington [1'], Hussein Tahhan [4', 85'], & Abbas Atoui [22'] for Bourj, and Marios Bietek [2', 52'], & Khodor Salameh [76'] for Safa.

Bourj achieved an expensive win after edging Safa [4-3] in Beirut Municipality. The match witnessed a high rivalry between both teams, as each side dominated a half time of his own, and both able to score plenty of goals. Bourj excelled through its promising players Tahhan, and Atoui, together with Darlington, and were able to score the winner in the late time of the match by Hussein Tahhan, a late time that didn't help Safa's attempt to equalize.
 

Ahed vs. Tadamoun Tyre.. March 10, 2002

Tadamoun temporarily took 3rd spot as they drubbed Ahed 3-1 in Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Sports City [300 crowd].

Ahed had the first game pretty much in their hands and were leading at the break thanks to a goal from Youssef al-Jawhari whose blast from inside the box ricoched off the bar and into the net [40’] for his ninth league goal of the season. It would be Safir al-Janub Tadamoun Tyre who would claim victory and three points however, thanks to 3 goals in the second period of the game. Kennedy Boboi claimed a deserved equalizer for the southern boys with a volley [47’] early after the restart. Nasrat al-Jamal then gave Tadamoun the lead with only 20 minutes left [70’] following a goalmouth scramble. It was then down to Kennedy to claim the final goal of the game from the spot as after his scoring partner Nasrat had been brought down in the box, making no mistake for the victory [87’].

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz
 

Salam Zgharta vs. Ikhaa Ahley Aley..
March 10, 2002

A non-Beirut clash between the northern representatives of the top flight Salam Zgharta in Tripoli’s Rashid Karami Olympic Stadium (christened with a Lebanese victory over Gulf giants Kuwait 3-1) against the mountain boys Ikhaa Ahley of Aley. The result a 4-0 drubbing of the visitors [in front of 1,000 spectators].

Despite failing to score a solitary goal in the first half, Salam came out in the second half to net four goals to repeat their last game’s performance against Racing. Moussa Bobaker netted the home side’s first [52], before Simbakor Sissy [56’] made it 2-0. Moussa netted again to make it 3 [81’], before Fouad Fahed ended the highest scoring game of the round in the last minute of the game [90’].

Salam Zgharta next face Tadamoun Tyre in a clear 6-pointer near the top of the table as one team is offered the chance of clearing a gap between them. Ikhaa have shown miserable recent form and will only have themselves to blame should they not make the most of their next game against bottom club Racing Club, the other team who had faced such a heavy defeat at the hands of Salam.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz
 

Shabab Sahel x Al-Ansar.. March 11, 2002

Shabab Sahel defeated Al-Ansar [1-0] in the match that took place on Monday March 11, 2002 at 4:45 p.m., Beirut Sports City stadium. The match goal was scored by Mahmoud Majeed [25'].

Shabab Sahel achieved the first win over Al-Ansar [1-0] since 1987-1988 season. Both teams showed equal dominance over the match with Sahel expressing more will to win the match while Al-Ansar instability in the defense and midfield denied them the proper development of attacks. In the second half, Ansar ran into forward but were faced by strong Sahel defense line that stood in front of Prospar, Nakid, and the others. The match witnessed the come back of Ansar former international midfielder Ahmad Saksouk who participated in the second half without the chance to change the match equation due to close Sahel defensive strategy that brought them the match 3 points and extended Al-Ansar unstable performance for yet another week.

Al-Ansar next task is against Nejmeh, the historical archrival Nejmeh, and the second contender on the championship title this season. As usual, the prior standings of both teams has nothing to do with their performance during this match, as it is all related to nerves, and ability to survive the Fans pressure. Is Ansar able to snatch the match 3 points ? Or it is going to be a victory for Nejmeh ? We all have to wait for the match on Sunday.
 

Racing vs. Homenetmen.. March 10, 2002

The battle of the bottom two squads in the Lebanese first division was played out in Bourj Hammoud [1,000 crowd]. What neither side wanted from the game was exactly what they received as the only two teams left without a victory to their name this season drew against each other in their best opportunity to claim one [2-2]!

A goal in each half for each team as it was Racing who took the lead and lost it in the first, Jean-Claude Kamal [34’], followed by Rafi Julfaji [36’]. And Homenetmen who then took the lead that was lost in the second, Vladimir [76’] with the equalizer taking a little longer, before Friday Okiki netted [81’].

Both sides are almost certainly destined for nothing better in the league than relegation. With their performances there is also little chance that they will make any impact in the newly draw FA Cup either.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz