Courtesy: The Daily Star


Lebanon captain the hero as Cedars beat Tunisia to reach playoffs

by James Stringer (Special to The Daily Star)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

TRIPOLI, Libya: Lebanon put the disappointment of narrowly losing to Libya in the quarter final of the Mediterranean Futsal Cup behind it late Tuesday with a penalty shootout victory over Tunisia to book a place in the playoff for fifth and sixth position Wednesday.

Lebanon started strongly with Hani Kouki having to be on guard to deny Takaji Khaled. Tunisia had a few good chances to score but Al-Kakhi Rabie Jamil was on form early on to rebut them. Khaled has been lethal in this competition so far and eventually got into space to fire past Kouki, giving Lebanon the early lead.

This lasted about two minutes as Tunisia cranked up the pressure. Hamdi Gdhami’s persistence allowed him to eventually push the ball through the legs of the defenders and into the goal.

Jamil closed down another Tunisian attack and saved a shot with his face as Tunisia piled on the pressure, but it was Lebanon who regained 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 on top form as he made a smart save from Jeljili and Ouled Ali Ben Brahim Ali. Khaled gave away a free kick, chasing down a player and fouling them in the process. From the free kick the keeper made a great stop and the defence blocked the follow up shot, with Jamil smashing the loose ball into touch. Hammoud Ibrahim was booked for a foul and following another save by Jamil he went down injured. Despite a hefty knock he was 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 Jamil who held onto the ball as well.

Moez Trabelsi seemed to be told to man mark Khaled when in defence, limiting the creative play of the Lebanese player. Suddenly one of the best attacking players was 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 Jamil was on form once again.

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 was using it well but just couldn’t unlock the Lebanon defense. Khaled had a shot that was deflected wide when it looked like it was going in, and a shot that was saved by the keeper with less than a minute left to play. In the dying seconds Ali had a chance to win it but fired wide of the goal. In the shootout it was all down to the keepers and Captain Fantastic Jamil saved two penalties as Lebanon went through to fight it out for fifth place.

Jamil, also Most Valuable Player, said “I’m very happy, we deserve fifth place and we will fight for it.”


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