Futsal Planet

Libya vs Morocco

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by Damon Shaw from Tripoli

With the backing of nearly 1,000 fans making a fantastic noise, Libya, hosts and favourites for the title took on North African rivals in what promised to be a fantastic match. It certainly lived up to that billing and had an epic comeback, two hattricks and two red cards. Libya had to work hard for the win, but that they did inspired by Rahoma Ahmed, man of the match.

The atmosphere was epic and despite only a seven minute warm up on the pitch, the Libyans came out fast. Straight from kick off they were playing with full court pressure against the team ranked 18 places below them in the futsal world rankings. It almost immediately paid off as Morocco found themselves without any options and Libya stole the ball only for the resultant shot to be blocked by a good slide. Almost immediately some great skill by Elshwain in the area set up Shahout for a shot which was also blocked well.

Shahout then won Libya a free kick 10 metres from goal and up stepped Rahoma Ahmed. He blasted the kick straight in and sent the crowd into raptures! Less than two minutes later, Libya had a second free kick from almost the same spot. Surely not again. Ahmed lined it up and this time he hit the top right hand corner to make it 2-0.

Kayouri Hilchim should have got one back for Morocco but his reflexes deserted him as a ball was passed to him at the second post and he missed it. Libya then punished him as they made it three through a firing shot to the top corner by Asghayer. Libya were in control and nobody would bet against them going on to score more and finish the game off. However, Baya Yahya was playing like one of the few who had and he brought the game back to level terms single handed, with two goals before the break and his third in the second half in the 29th minute.

In the same minute, the comeback was completed by number 20 Aziz Derrou as he was played in by Hichim to score in an empty net! 4-3 and Libya found themselves behind to their rivals. Nobody could have seen it coming and the crowd were subdued.

Libya carried on and didn’t let their heads get down, despite the bitter blow of losing a three goal lead. Rabie, in the Moroccan goal was on hand to save twice from Elshwain but he couldn’t keep out Suleiman to level the scores once more with nine minutes on the clock. The game was end to end and both sides were creating chances and both goalkeepers were playing a valuable part in keeping their teams in it at times.

On a hattrick, Rahoma Ahmed found space about 8 metres from goal and dispatched a left footed shot beyond the keeper with only six minutes remaining and there was still more to come! Back in the lead, Libya felt that they were back where they should be and Ahmed had another free kick, this time from 12 metres. It wasn’t to be an incredible hattrick of free kicks as it went high and wide.

Libya, on the ascendency were playing the possession game and some excellent work by Abdulsallam in the middle, before releasing a ball to Asghayer on the left wing resulted in Abdelrahim’s first of the game. He floored the keeper with a dummy shot before placing his finish. In the same minute, Elshwain scored his first and Libya’s last of the game. 7-4.

The goalscoring may have ended but there was still drama as only 14 seconds after scoring, Elshwain received a red card! He was adjudged to have elbowed his opponent. Morocco were running out of time but the player advantage could have given them a lifeline and they tried to fashion a chance. The chance came for Hicham and he should have scored... instead he fluffed his chance trying to flick it in, allowing Alsharif to gather the ball. In his frustration at himself he went in dangerously on Alsharif and was shown a straight red card! It was surely now game over for Morocco in what was a 4 v 4 match for all of one minute. When it returned to 5 v 5 after the two minutes had elapsed for both sides the game was virtually over.

It was a fantastic game that had everything, and at one point Libya may have thought they were going to lose from being in such a good position. In the end though, Libya qualify for the second round and leave Morocco needing a win in their final match.

Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com