Courtesy: The Daily Star


Lebanon into second round of Mediterranean Futsal Cup

by Kenny Laurie (text taken from Futsalplanet.com articles by Damon Shaw and James Stringer)

Saturday, November 06, 2010

BEIRUT: Lebanon booked its place in the second round of the Mediterranean Futsal Cup Friday with an impressive display of attacking play leaving Palestine hapless as the Cedars marched to an 11-1 victory.

It was Palestine which came out of the traps more determined to get something from this game as a win for them and a win for Turkey could have secured second-round entrance, and they were unlucky not to take the lead as Eid shot wide in the opening minutes before Hajaj Mohammad and Alikkawi Eid both had chances for Palestine only to be denied by some great saves from Askadjian Sarkis.

The first goal of the game came from Lebanon after some neat midfield play. The ball found its way to Atwi Hayssam who smashed it into the back of the net. It took less than 30 seconds for Lebanon to increase their lead as Takaji Khaled latched onto a pass and smashed it toward goal; the keeper got a hand to it but as Lebanon doubled its lead.

Total heartbreak for Palestine came minutes later as Kawsan Kassem’s shot trickled under Sbeheen Basel and into the back of the net, unlucky for the keeper but it’s not the first time we’ve seen that kind of goal at this tournament. Itani Mahmoud then grabbed another for Lebanon.

Palestine managed to score after some nice play down the right-hand side and the ball found its way to Altalmas Zeyad on the left before hammering one into the back of the net from 8 meters.

Chaito Hassan and Hammoud Ibrahim both grabbed goals to make it 6-1 at half time.

Lebanon ran riot in the second half with further goals from Tajek Haled (2), Fadel Jean, Mahmoud and Hayssam giving Lebanon a comfortable passage to the second round.

Also in Group D, Croatia topped the group beating Turkey in a tight 3-2 win that eliminates the Turks. Croatia held a 1-0 lead at half time before Turkey rallied back into the game with a goal from Saglam Cuma Aziz.

Whatever was said at half time worked for Turkey as Cuma Aziz went out and scored the goal of the tournament so far. Early possession for Turkey was worked to the left and Kenan Koseoglu played a first time high ball to the other side of the pitch. Cuma Aziz watched the ball and as it dropped over the head of the Croatian defender he elegantly struck the ball with perfection and into the far corner to level the scores. Two goals from Banic Dean put Croatia back in control before Keskin Cem scored a consolation goal for the Turkish team.


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