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A great defensive Lebanese side
gains a point and the qualification.
 Lebanon
drew Jordan to the point that gave the Lebanese side
qualification to the second round of the Asian qualifications
for Athens 2004. The match was an exciting one, with two goals
for both sides in the first half and with an excellent defense
for Lebanon in front of the massive attacks for the Jordanian
side in the second. ©
Sublime goal
The first half
of the match witnessed a sublime goal by Abbas Atwi in the 14th
minute when Khudor Najdi played a throw in to Abbas who broke
through Jordan’s defense and stroke the ball to hit the goal
declaring that Lebanon was on the right track to qualification.
Jordan Hits
back
The Jordanian
side woke up after the Lebanese goal and started to play fast
balls and they were completely great in dead balls situation.
Ten minutes after Atwi’s goal, Awad Raghib sneaks through the
Lebanese defense and scores the equalizer after he shot the ball
which was crossed over by the good Jordanian player Alaa’
Mutalka.
Total loss
Both teams
concentrated on the midfield after the Jordanian goal, and the
Lebanese defense was at a total loss after Raghib’s goal and the
Jordanian side attempted several times to score but these
attempts were absolutely wasted in front of Santina’s goal.
Jordanian
tension
The second
half started with a complete control for Lebanon and the
Jordanian side was fully aware that no way but to attack to
achieve his goal. This fact made the Jordanian players more
tensed and they started to commit harsh fouls on the Lebanese
players.
180 degree
Turn
There was a
heavy burden therefore on the Lebanese defense and goalkeeper to
stop the Jordanian attack. So, the Lebanese defenders were
excellent especially Khaled Hamie’ and Sami el Shum and left no
space for the Jordanian attackers and when they passed through
the defense, Santina was always there to make the save.
On the other
side, the Lebanese attack was always hasty and didn’t benefit
from counter attacks especially Rony Azar who wasted a great
opportunity to score after a great play by Agob Donabidian, but
Azar didn’t shoot the ball directly and gave the opportunity to
the Jordanians to clear the ball.
Unjust
decisions
The match was
exciting to a great extent but the unjust decisions of the
Iranian referee were about to ruin the match. Although it was
not an easy match for the referee but he should have shown more
tolerance and control in taking his decisions especially those
taken against the Lebanese players.
Capable coach
A great
percentage of the credit should go for the Lebanese coach Mr.
Richard Tardi for his capability to cover all the gaps in the
Lebanese defense, which were absolutely weakening the Lebanese
side in the first half, and therefore he turned the match in
Lebanon’s favour.
Finally,
congratulations for Lebanon and all the wishes in the next round
matches against Indonesia in the Asian Olympic qualifications
for Athens 2004.
Match Events
09’: Atat shoots but his shot goes wide.
11’: a great play by Alaa Mutalka but he didn’t shoot properly.
13’: a wide pass by Najdi but an easy ball for the goalkeeper
14’: Abbas Atwi scores a splendid goal for Lebanon.
16’: Hamie shoots but the ball is deflected by the defense.
18’: Santina saves a great shot by Abdul Hadi Maharma.
19’: A break by Najdi but his ball was deflected.
25’: A goal for
Jordan
scored by Awad Dib who sneakes through the Lebanese defense and
scores.
31’: a great opportunity for Khaled Sa’ed to score but his
wastes the ball although he was alone in front of Santina.
38’: Atwi intercepts the ball and tries to play a lob ball of
the Jordanian keeper but he shoots an easy ball.
49’: A good move by Atat and a wide shot by Atwi.
52’: a good play by Adham Ghaddar but his shot was deflected by
the Jordanian defense.
56’: a great free kick by Atwi but his shot goes off to the
corner.
60’: a free kick for
Jordan
but the shot goes wide.
62’: a wide cross by Agob and the ball hits the bar.
66’: a great effort by Najdi and a wonderful shot but the Keeper
saves the goal.
75’: an opportunity by Awad Dib but Santina interferes bravely
but the ball gets to Abu Hashhash but he wasters it.
76’: an opportunity for
Lebanon
but Atwi’s shot wasn’t good and the keeper saves it.
86’: an opportunity to score for Rony Azar but he wastes the
chance.
88’: a great shot for Jordan but Santina is there to save it.
91’: a cross for Jordan but Santina saves the ball.
92’: a great shot for Jordan but Santina saves it and Khaled
Hamie clears the ball bravely.
Statistics
Lebanon
Jordan
1
Goals 1
6
Corners 8
4 Yellow
cards 2
0 Red
cards 0
1 Offsides
1
8 Fouls
committed
14
41% Ball
possession 59%
Yellow cards:
Jordan:
- Abdul Hadi Maharma 11th minute.
- Mouyad Abu Kushuk 69th minute.
Lebanon:
- Abbas Kina’an 14th minute.
- Adham Ghaddar 75th minute.
- Ali Atat 78th minute.
- Agob Donabidian 84th minute.
Substitutions:
Jordan:
- Ahmed Hatamleh for Mouayad Abu Kushuk (53rd minute)
- Siraj El Tal for Abdul Hadi Maharma (59th minute)
- Adel Abu Hdeib for Alaa Mutalka (70th minute)
Lebanon:
- Ahmed el Shum for Khudor Najdi (70th minute)
- Rony Azar for Adham Ghaddar (75th minute)
Lebanon Team: Mouhamad Santina (GK), Hasan Mezher, Abass
Kanaan, Hagob Donabidian, Sami El Shoum, Khaled Hamieh, Adham
Ghadar, Khodor Najdi, Yahia Hashem, Abass Atoui, Ali Atat
Jordan Team: Amer Shafii (GK), Mouhamad Mounir,
Hasan Abed El Fatah, Mouhamad Khamis, Shadi Abou Hashash, Yazan
Zahraoui, Ala'a Moutalkah, Khaled Saad, Abed El Hadi Maharmeh,
Aouad Ragheb, MouAiad Abou Keshek
Referee: Jalal
Muradi
Assistants: Hassan Najati Nader Gafari
4th Official: Muhsen Girmani.
April 19, 2003
written by the Editor Mouhamad Hallal
Photos by Adnan Hajj Ali
www.lebanese-football.com
all rights reserved
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