Courtesy: Tripoli Post


1st Mediterranean Futsal Cup: Last-gasp Goal Puts Hosts Libya in the Final

09/11/2010

Libya lived dangerously in their semi-final against France but eventually won through by the odd goal, 2-1, to qualify to the final and get the chance to become the first winners of the Mediterranean Futsal Cup Wednesday when they meet Croatia at the September 23 Hall.

Libya v France 2-1

Libya left it very late to score the winning goal in their 2-1 victory over France. They also had to come back from a goal down at half time to eventually win it with a goal by Bader Hasan Basher from a Mohamed Suleiman pass with only 26 seconds to go.

It was an extremely well fought out clash and France must be heartbroken to lose after going toe to toe with a Libyan team 35 places above them in the World Rankings and that had all the advantages as hosts and the backing of thousands of fans.

Libya came out flying and probably should have taken the lead after two minutes when Bader, recalled to the team after injured, hit a shot that smashed against the crossbar and rebounded out, leaving many to doubt whether the ball had crossed the goal-line.

Despite Libya’s positive attacking play, it was France who against the run of play surprisingly went ahead lead through Saidi Ibrahim who caught the hosts’ defence napping to beat Alsharif.

The Libyans were shocked but they believed in themselves and poured men forward in search of the equaliser. They sprayed shots at Haroun’s goal from all angles, but France dug deep and kept them out to hold on to their slender lead at half time.

With Suleiman in top form, Libya resumed their efforts and kept coming forward in the second half. Suleiman fashioned some good scoring opportunities for himself and for his mates, but could not find the final touch. The same could be said for Rahoma who also caused a lot of problems to the French but without finding a way through.

France seemed to be holding out beautifully with 15 minutes remaining and Libya were looking frustrated at this time. However, Shahout managed to get them on level terms. He sent the crowd into rapture when he took up a perfect diagonal pass from Rahoma to score.

After that France once again tried hard to get back on trek but found goalkeeper Alsharif had to beat, particularly from a Samir Alla move that was stopped brilliantly by the Libyan.

With time running out it looked odds on that whoever scored next would win the game, therefore Alsharif’s save kept Libya’s hopes alive, though he himself had to be carried off carried off injured, to be replaced by Fatah.

The final minutes were tense-filled. Both sides had chances to score, especially Libya who however found Haroun denying them. But with the game heading for penalties that could determine the victors, and with less than 100 seconds to go, Libya’s coach Pablo Prieto called a time-out to give his final instructions.

His pep talk seems to have had the required effect s with 26 seconds to go Suleiman found Bader with a through ball and the latter scored to send the crowd into delirium. Libya held out and though it would have been an amazing achievement for France to reach the final, Libya deserved their place as they set up a dream final against Croatia and former coach Mato Stankovic.

Also Wednesday, losers France will meet Slovenia to determine third place.

Results for final placings
Lebanon v Tunisia 6-4
Morocco v Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-3
Turkey v Algeria 5-4
Cyprus v Palestine 6-4
Greece v Albania 2-1
Syria v Malta 17-6


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