Futsal Planet

Morocco vs Lebanon

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by James Stringer from Tripoli

Morocco took on Lebanon today to fight it out for 5th place in the competition. Morocco had the most of the possession early in the game but the first chance came after Takaji Khaled made space down the left hand side and shot across goal. Atwi Hayssam had an effort flash past the left hand post and Morocco got the first card of the game after Kayouri Hicham handled the ball to stop a Lebanon counter attack.

Lebanon linked well in the next move as Atwi Hayssam, Kawsan Kassem and Takaji Khaled all linked well with some slick passing in the Moroccan box only for the keeper to shield the ball out of play. El Kakhi Rabie Jamil was called into action next after he saved what looked like the opening goal of the game, diving at the feet of Khoukh Bouchaib to deny the Moroccan of the first goal.

We were then treated to a fantastic flowing move for the first goal. Derrou Aziz played a defence splitting ball through to Baya Yahya to fire in at the far post. Kayouri Hicham flashed a shot wide that was close to increasing the lead for Morocco as Lebanon looked for a way back into the match. It was all Morocco though as Derrou Aziz hammered a shot at goal only for El Kakhi Rabie Jamil to touch it away for a corner. Morocco got their second goal after that as Baya Yahya fired a shot into the box that was turned into the goal from Itani Mahmoud to score an own goal. The same thing almost happened again as Morocco broke forward with pace, they struck the ball against a Lebanon player only for El Kakhi Rabie Jamil to deny them this time.

Hammoud Ibrahim had a shot that sailed over as Lebanon again pressed for a goal but a good corner from Morocco almost caught them out as Ait Moulay Mahjoub connected but his tame shot was just over the bar. Lebanon broke shortly after and Atwi Hayssam hit it against the post from about 10 metres out. The game started to really open up as Baya Yahya took a wild shot at goal that ended up in row Z. Derrou Aziz looked to be really enjoying himself out and his ball to Khoukh Bouchaib was sublime only for him to miss the opportunity to increase the lead before half time.

Lebanon got the perfect start to the second half when Kawsan Kassem found the target after an exquisite pass from Atwi Hayssam to reduce the deficit. It was like a complete turnaround and suddenly the game had opened up. Lebanon got caught on the break and Derrou Aziz scored into an empty net as he played a lovely 1 – 2 with Khoukh Bouchaib. Tempers flared as Kawsan Kassem was sent off for throwing the ball into the face of a Moroccan player. The Moroccans surged forward following the dismissal and were unlucky not to extend their lead when Baya Yahya hit the post from a good flowing move, moments later he scored. Morrocco were dominating this game and some neat passing opened it up for Bouabid Mohamed to score and BayaYahya scored a delightful goal when some fantastic individual skill left El Kakhi Rabie Jamil with no chance from close range. Takaji Khaled grabbed a goal back for Lebanon and they were unlucky when Atwi Hayssam had a shot that was cleared off the line by Derrou Aziz. The final buzzer sounded shortly afterwards and Morocco celebrated as they had secured 5th place in the championship.

Most Valuable player Baya Yahya told Futsal Planet after the match “We are happy to finish in 5th place, the team were good and we are happy. I think Libya will win because of the team play.”

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