Futsal Planet

Lebanon vs Tunisia

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by James Stringer from Tripoli

Lebanon looked to put the disappointment of narrowly losing to Libya behind them tonight as they started strongly with Hani Kouki having to be on guard to deny Takaji Khaled. Tunisia had a few good chances to score but El Kakhi Rabie Jamil was on form early on to deny them. Takaji Khaled has been lethal in this competition so far and he eventually got into space to fire past Hani Kouki to give Lebanon the early lead. It lasted about 2 minutes as Tunisia cranked up the pressure as Hamdi Gdhami’s persistence causes him to go bursting through and eventually pushing it through the legs of the defenders and into the goal to level things up.

El Kakhi Rabie Jamil closed down another Tunisia attack and saved a shot with his face as Tunisia pile on the pressure, but it was Lebanon who regain the advantage when Koutany Jean fired it into the net from the left hand side. The lead didn’t last long as Tunisia hit back instantly with Zied Jeljili converting from the far post.

The Lebanon keeper was in a rich vein of form as he made a smart save from Zied Jeljili and Ouled Ali Ben Brahim Ali. Takaji Khaled gave away a free kick chasing down a player and fouling them in the process. From the free kick the keeper makes a great stop and the defence blocks the follow up shot with El Kakhi Rabie Jamil smashing the loose ball into touch. Hammoud Ibrahim is booked for a foul and following another save El Kakhi Rabie Jamil goes down injured. He took a pretty hefty knock but is ok to continue after treatment.

The second half began with Lebanon pushing forward and having a few early chances. The same can also be said for Tunisia with Meher Mazhoud firing on the volley only to be denied by El Kakhi Rabie Jamil who held onto the ball as well. Moez Trabelsi seemed to be told to man mark Takaji Khaled when in defence, limiting the creative play of the Lebanese player. We suddenly have the one of the best attacking players being marked by one of the best defensive players. It created a fantastic battle and was only disjointed when Atwi Hayssam had a thunderous effort saved by the keeper, narrowly shooting wide moments later. Mrad Karim had a great chance to score but El Kakhi Rabie Jamil was on form today.

Moez Trabelsi decided to open up his body later on and went for a run down the left that resulted with a shot just wide of the left hand post. Tunisia started to have a lot more of the ball and were using it well but just couldn’t create the chance to unlock the Lebanon defence. Takaji Khaled had a shot that was deflected wide when it looked like going in, he also had a shot that was saved by the keeper with less than a minute left to play. In the dying seconds Ouled Ali Ben Brahim Ali had a chance to win it but fired wide of the goal. In the shoot out it was all down to the keepers and Captain Fantastic El Kakhi Rabie Jamil saved 2 penalties as Lebanon went through to fight it out for 5th place.

Most Valuable Player El Kakhi Rabie Jamil said “I’m very happy, we deserve 5th place and we will fight for it.”

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