Viceroy
Cup 2001
Nejmeh defeated Safa [4-1]
November
11, 2001
Nejmeh qualified to the final match of
Viceroy Cup for the Elite - 2001 after defeating Safa [4-1] in the
match that took place on Sunday November 11, 2001 8:30 p.m., at
Beirut Sports City stadium.
The big bear woke up from hibernation and the first victim was
Safa, the "black horse" of the tournament. Nejmeh players
resurrected from their series of bad performances, and reminded
their fans of the Summer days of Latakia Arab tournament. Nejmeh
started the match with a Lebanese squad that witnessed the come
back of Abbas Shahrour, Mohammad Halaweh, Riad Kobeissi, and the
successful participation of Sarkis Abajian. The new formula
developed by Omar Mizian, Nejmeh team technical manager, led to
the consequences by Nejmeh fans.
The match started with early Nejmeh pressure that turned quickly
into a goal by Sarkis Abajian on the 4th. minute. Safa players
tried to score the equalizer early, and so they ran into attack
and dominated most of the First half with most of their attempts
stopped by Nejmeh attentive defense line
Oko-Daher-Halaweh-Shahrour. In the second half, Nejmeh team took
over, and bombed its opponent with a series of attacks that
generated 3 goals by Abbas Atoui [53'], Riad Kobeissi [68'], &
Terro Kehian [83'], and missed another 3 opportunities. All of
Nejmeh players made good match especially Abdo Tafeh the goal
keeper, Sunday Oko, Hussein Daher, Abbas Shahrour, Mohammad
Halaweh, Abbas Atoui, Sarkis Abajian, & Terro Kehian. |
Nejmeh players "honoring"
their new leader
Mohammad Halaweh
The Rock
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As for Safa, they didn't deserve this heavy loss. In fact, they
had the upper hand over the first half, and were denied many
opportunities by the solid defense line of Nejmeh. The team was
appearing in good shape, especially being one of the main bidders
for the title. However, in the second half, Safa defense line fell
down to the consistent Nejmeh attacks, and received 3 breaking
goals at time the unyielding Forward line was trying hopelessly to
break into Nejmeh defense line which turned out to be a total
failure if we're not to count the "honor" goal scored by Abdullah
Hommsi on the 92'nd minute. Safa players should get over the loss,
and prepare for the 3rd. place match against Al-Ansar tomorrow on
Tuesday November 13, 2001 8:30 p.m., at Beirut Sports City
stadium. At the same time, they should benefit from the extended
rest period during Ramadan to add the final touches on their squad
to avoid any potential weak points they might face during the
championship that starts directly after the end of Ramadan holy
month.
On the other side, Nejmeh shall meet Tadamoun Sour for the 2nd.
time in a week in the final match of the tournament. Fate has
decided the match that smells revenge for Nejmeh, and additional
conquests for Tadamoun, and both teams promise a high level of the
game, and rivalry with each side packed with stars, and experts in
each position. The team who is able to score first, and avoid
mistakes will be able to win the match and clinch the title. Main
theme-players of the match are expected to be Abdo Tafeh, Sunday
Oko, Abbas Shahrour, Hussein Daher, Abbas Atoui, Mohammad Halaweh,
& Terro Kehian for Nejmeh, and Ali Hoteit, Faisal Antar, Korken
Inkebarian, Nasrat El-Jamal, Imad El-Miri, Haitham Zein, & Ibrahim
Manasri for Tadamoun. Both sides chances are equal.
Nejmeh squad: A. Tafeh (GK), A. Shahrour, M. Ibrahim, S.
Oko, H. Daher, Z. Elabdedin Saad, [Y. Hashem 70'], M. Halaweh, R.
Kobeissi, A. Atoui [B. Fleifel 84'], S. Abajian [M. Karneeb 64'],
T. Kehian.
Safa squad: H. Rammal (Gk), Y. Mohammad, H. Shleikh, J.
Boyam, W. El-Miri [A. Karneeb 87'], B. Taleb, A. Mohammad [S.
Badawi 71'], A. Khan, K. Salameh, A. Naamani, A. Hommsi.
Referees:
K. Hamzeh
H. Ghadanfar
F. Abed Elrahim
A. Mandani Kwait
Bookings:
M. Ibrahim 7' YC
A. Hommsi 33' YC
Y. Mohammad 55' YC
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