Seventeenth Stage: Nejmeh defeats Al-Ansar [2-0] in the climax match, Sagesse holds on to the top with [2-1] win over Homenmen, Tadamoun smashes Salam [5-0], Sahel defeats Bourj [3-1], Safa defeats Ahed [3-1], Homenetmen defeats Ahley Saida [3-2], & Ikhaa Ahley ties with Racing [1-1]..
March 22, 2002

 

Nejmeh defeats Al-Ansar [2-0] in the climax, and keeps up with the championship race.. March 17, 2002

Nejmeh defeated Al-Ansar [2-0] in the match that took place on Sunday March 17, 2002 at 4:45 p.m., Beirut Sports City stadium. The goals were scored by Bilal Fleifel [23', 38'].

Nejmeh won the traditional climax match against Al-Ansar and added 3 important points to its records within the attempts for the championship title. Nejmeh made a good performance against Al-Ansar and dominated a half time of their own, scored twice through the elegant "Head" striker Bilal Fleifel who is filling the gap created by absence of Errol McFarlane. Nejmeh well used the bad shape of Ansar's midfield in the first half, and dominated the pitch with few attempts from the Green's side to reduce the score sheet.

In the second half, Al-Ansar rejuvenated and started the come back process, the opportunities appeared gradually on Nejmeh's target, but the alert Abdo Tafeh neutralized all the attempts putting away his team from the danger of an Ansar shock, and bringing 3 major points for the Nejmeh side extending the championship race for another stage.

Al-Ansar faced another failure, the major gap lies in the midfield that is not able to carry the team into forward. What happens is a lot of opportunities being missed, and the team suffering from rare but effective opponents' attacks that make the Greens' side bleeding more and more points. Al-Ansar stays at 10th. place with 7 points a head of Homenmen 11th. with 10, Al-Ansar should not feel much comfortable about the coming stages, more seriousness, and concentration is required in order not to face darker days. The first major obstacle is Sagesse, the major title contender next week.

As for Nejmeh, the team's campaign for the title is getting harder every week. The first major opponent is Bourj on Sunday, the first round result was a [1-1] draw with Nejmeh equalizing late in the match.
 

Homenmen v Sagesse 1-2..
March 17, 2002

Sagesse retained top spot as they narrowly defeated Homenmen in Bourj Hammoud, the Armenian side’s home stadium [1,300 crowd].

The game was one in which Homenmen could have actually walked away with at least a point against the league leaders. In the end, they were only allowed a late consolation goal and the Greens took all three points as expected. Homenmen had a disallowed goal early on in the game, one in which both sides came close on many occasions. Michael Gibran blasted in Sagesse’s first goal from a loose ball after a number of returned blasts from his team-mates [39’]. It was the only goal to separate the teams at the break. Homenmen were the better side of the second half, but the Reds failed to claim the goal they needed to draw level. Despite being awarded a penalty-kick, as Hamlet was brought down by Issa Ramadan in the box, Tony Daher had his shot blocked by the Green keeper. Tommy then turned a great rebound into a goal with a nice piece of play [75’]. Sagesse were denied the goal that was netted by Fouad Hijazi as Tommy had headed the corner back in play, while off the pitch. Garo then blasted in a great goal after a brilliant cross [92’]. The goal came too little, too late, but provided for some edge of the seat action in the last few moments of the game

Sagesse maintain top spot, but how long can they keep it up as they are still showing to be less impressive in their games compared to nearest rivals Nejmeh. However, their record is still outstanding, having dropped their last points to Tadamoun Tyre. Homenmen still lie in 17th, with a massive seven point gap between them and Ansar. Their next game could provide them with their 3rd win of the season as they face one of only two teams that they have beaten so far this season in the Armenian derby – Homenetmen.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz
 

Tadamoun Tyre v Salam Zgharta 5-0.. March 17, 2002

The season’s second biggest defeat was by the same team who dished out the season’s biggest defeat. However, Tadamoun's former score [7-0 vs. minnows Racing] is little of a shock compared to the drubbing that would face their opponents from the north Salam Zgharta in Beirut’s Municipal Stadium [5-0]. It was strange enough to see the two sides from Lebanon’s most provinces playing in Beirut, but for the 1,500 crowd that turned up - goals galore.

It started with a goal being nullified after it seemed that Boboi Kennedy was off-side with his half-volley into the net. Faisal Antar then netted the weekend’s best goal to make sure he wasn’t being outdone by his brother in the Bundesliga. Faisal’s curling free-kick from the edge of the semi-circle of the penalty box hit was destined for the top-left hand corner of the goal from the second it left his feet to open the goal-rush [12’], Kennedy Boboi made up for his earlier chance by netting the second after a number of chances whistled past the posts. A fantastic corner met the players twisting header and hitting the back of the net [38’]. 2-0 at half-time but plenty of good goals still to come after the break. Iraqi Haidar Najem ran onto a controlled ball through as he curved the ball above the stampeding keeper and hitting the ceiling of the net [46’] with little time wasted in the new period. Nasrat al-Jamal took a blast that fell to him within the box. Ali Mohammad punched the ball, only for it to fall on Kennedy’s feet as he made no mistake by placing the rebound for the southerners 4th goal of the game [56’]. Palestinian Ibrahim Manasri collected a through ball on the edge of the box, two defenders tried to prevent him from scoring Tadamoun's 5th, but to no avail as he positioned the ball above the diving keeper [62’]. Simbakor Sissy was Salam’s best player of the game, but failed to leave his mark on the scoreboard.

Tadamoun's fifth victory in a row maintains their 4th place position 8 points behind league leaders Sagesse. Their impressive victory will leave them in good morale for their next encounter with the Blues, another non-Beirut club Ikhaa Ahley Aley who are currently going through something of a winless streak. Salam who had not conceded a goal in their last three outgoings all impressive victories [2-0, 3-0, 4-0] will try to pick up the pieces against Safa, or at least not concede so many goals.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz
 

Safa v Ahed 3-1.. March 17, 2002

Safa played on their home ground and took all three points as they defeated visitors Ahed [3-1; 1,000 crowd].

Smooth Safa striker Marius Betek netted the opener of the game [6’] with his sixth league goal. While, Safa’s other outspoken young international striker Ahmad Naamani netted the second before the half-time break with his 5th league and 9th domestic goal this season [41’]. Youssef Jawhari claimed a goal back for the visitors just before the break as Ahed got a opening from the penalty spot. Nabeel Sheikho received a yellow card and Youssef sent the ball into the net as the keeper dived the other way [44’pen]. A neat cross from the right wing from Ahmed Naamani to Salomon Salhah was controlled before blasting into the net [58’] for the last goal of the game. While the Safawiyans called for a penalty later, the best chance fell to Ahed who received a free-kick within the box, coming close with the goalmouth scramble that ensued. A half that was full of chances, but only one extra goal.

Safa jump over Salam Zgharta into 5th spot as the latter side fell to a miserable 5-0 defeat at the hands of Tadamoun. It was Safa’s first win in their last three league games and their next opponents are Salam Zgharta. Can Safa have their wicked way with the northern boys? It was Ahed’s fourth defeat in their last 5 games (the other a draw) and their luck doesn’t seem as if it will change much with their next game being against Shabab al Sahel.

Written by: Bassam Mahfouz
 

Homenetmen achieves first win [3-2] over Ahley.. March 16, 2002

Homenetmen defeated Ahley Saida [3-2] in the match that took place on Saturday March 16, 2002 at 3:00 p.m., Bourj Hammoud stadium. The match goals were scored by Peter [4'], Mahmoud Tahhan [61' p.], & Krikor Alozian [87'] for Homenetmen, and Marwan Khaled [11'], & Madeo Konati [42'] for Ahley.

The first win for Homenetmen carries hope rather than material change on the table for the Yellow side who succeeded to overcome the difficult times they are passing right now, the victim was a good one, another table bottom companion Ahley of Saida. The match witnessed some excitement with Ahley equalizing and advancing, then Homenetmen equalized with a penalty kick, and scored the winner on minute 87' by Alozian.

The real exam for both teams lies in coming stages which should see serious attempts to raise the performance enough to escape the destined relegation at the end of the season!
 

Ikhaa Ahley ties with Racing [1-1].. March 16, 2002

Ikhaa Ahley Aley tied with Racing [1-1] in the match that took place on Saturday March 16, 2002 at 3:00 p.m., Beirut Sports City stadium. The match goals were scored by Artash Adamian [39'] for Ikhaa, & Imad Waked [87'] for Racing.

Another disappointing performance for the Mountain's side, Ikhaa appeared in poor shape against Racing's relegated side, and convinced no one about its current situation. A much resurgent side at earlier stage of the championship seemed to have lost the appetite for goals, and wins. Ikhaa though have dominated the first half, but none of this witnessed serious attempts on target. On the other side, Racing provided an excellent second half, but here also the lack of a good striker denied the team of goals, only Imad Waked was able to understand the language of goal scoring with some help of Ikhaa goal keeper!