Futsal Planet

Greece vs Libya

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by Damon Shaw from Tripoli

Libya won again in front of thousands of fans and millions of viewers on live TV but Greece gave almost as good as they got as they tried to get the point needed to go through to the quarter finals. With Morocco comfortably beating Syria, they couldn’t rely on goal difference, despite starting the day in second place, three points ahead of Morocco.

An early goal once again set Libya on their way and it was no other than Rahoma, scorer of two early goals on day 2, who broke the deadlock. He could have made it two and move to joint top of the scorers chart but he was inches away from a good ball across the goal.

Greece were showing to be no pushovers and pressed Libya back into their own half on many occasions, forcing Libya to play their way out of trouble. It’s a part of their game that is so effective and so good to watch but Greece needed the ball and they pressed. Libya were making a few uncharacteristic errors with misplaced passes and it was a mistimed tackle by MVP Suleiman that allowed Greece to equalise. He was beaten by the Greek attacker and Bader failed to cover allowing a perfect ball to be played in to Manos at the far post to give the Greeks a glimmer of hope.

Only a minute later, Shahout cuts inside well to unleash a shot that Christos Achis might have done better with. He got something to it but it still went in to give Libya the lead again. Another long range effort, and ultimately the last goal of the game, from Suleiman was one to savour. Good movement to push Greece back and create space allowed Bader to lay a good ball into the path of Suleiman who shot hard and low past Achis.

Basher Hasan Bader picked up a yellow card for a bad challenge in the centre of the pitch. A slide tackle, but slightly dangerous.

Antonios Manos, Greece’s standout player, had another quickfire double strike but Alsharif was equal to both and the score remained 3-1 into the break.

The second half was tight as Greece were holding on, hoping to nick it. They needed two goals to go through, but breaking Libya down wasn’t going to be easy as they kept the ball well and created chances and with Alsharif as the last line of defence it was a tall order.

Due to the late kick off for TV coverage, the game in the African Union Hall had finished 9-1 to Morocco, with 10 minutes of Greece vs. Libya remaining. The possibility of Greece going through on goal difference, which was never going to be a realistic route, was confirmed and they needed a draw. Greece were defending well and they only needed two chances.

The next good chance fell to Bader who ran through the middle and struck a low toe poke. It hit the bottom of the right hand post and Greece still had a look in. Then came a real chance for Greece as they broke 2 versus 1 on Alsharif. Instead of trying to find the pass, Delaportis shot straight at the well positioned goalkeeper. Would we see the flying goalkeeper from Greece?

It wasn’t to be and without the extra man, they failed to break down Libya who held out to the delight of their African rivals who join them in the quarter finals.

Mohamed Suleiman ran the show for Libya winning the coveted Futsal Planet MVP, setting up numerous chances and scoring a good goal for himself. The little number 14 deserved his goal and award and Libya deserve to be top of their group with three high quality performances.

Greece played a really good group stage, and will rue missed chances against Morocco that would have seen them go through. They punched above their weight and will certainly take a lot from this tournament. They now play for 9th place and will be one of the favourites to do so.

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