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independent reports from
semi finals on
Nov 15
Zamalek Cairo - TP Mazembe Lubumbashi
- 2:0 (1st leg 1:1)
It was Egyptian striker
legend Hossam Hassan to put the seal on the Zamalek success with two first
half goals in front of 80,000 in Cairo.
It was an early penalty
which made it an uphuill struiggle for the guests right from the fourth
minute on and Zamalek determined the pace of the first half culminating
with Hassans second goal after 37 minutes.
The second half is reported
to have been more open but with no further scores.
African Champions League semi-finals 2nd
leg (Nov 15/17)
Nov 17 2100 GMT:
Raja Casablanca - ASEC Abidjan
4:0 (final) (1st
leg 0:2)
- a muddy pitch after periods
of rain in the past weeks and further damaged by yesterdays match, players
slip and the match is very fast in the beginning. The Ivorians seem to
have a bit more problems with the ground.
- ('1)-('15) a wild fast
English style match, influenced by the pitch with Raja taking over the
match more and more. A first goal for the hosts would be only logical as
all those inpredictable situations so occur in front of the ASEC goal.
In the 12th minute Raja score but it is ruled offside. In the 15th minute
Raja have a huge opportunity as two unmarked players miss a low cross by
inches.
-('17) Raja: dangerous free
kick wide, after ASEC had stopped a fast counter attack just in front of
their penalty area by a foul (yellow card for #10)
-('20)-('40) still high
pace but Raja have to take a little back and the action shifts a little
more towards midfield. Long balls are the main tool on botzh sides as the
pitch does not allow low passing
-('41) ASEC keeper steps
outside in possession of the ball and the referee rules free kick for Raja
from the border of the 16.5 meter box. It flies wide.
-('45) another exciting
goalmouth scramble in front of ASEC goal after Raja break through on the
left hand side and a low cross flies in. no goal again.
-('45+1) one more opportunity
for Raja this time worked out on the right wing. The cross is defended
but the ball lands at the feet of a Raja player who shoots wide from about
16 meters
-('45+2) finally the
goal: Raja break through on the right and this time #11 Aboucharouane nails
the low cross into the net from 6 meters - 1:0
halftime 1:0
-('47) two quick oppotunities
for Raja, like the goal initiated by a #24 run on the right wing. Only
a minute later ASEC need all their defensive ressources to deny another
attack
-('54) a #11 shot from 15
meters touches the crossbar and goes out
-('55) the ASEC goalkeeper
Kante had been treated for minutes before ('49) and is down again, the
match is interrupted for the second time. He has to be replaced by #21
Kone as he can hardly walk
-('63) cross from the
right (#24 Sami again), ASEC cannot properly clear the ball and in the
end it is #9 Endene who cooly taps the ball across the line from close
range - 2:0
-('66) #11 Aboucharouane
fires just wide from 16 meters
-('67)-('76) ASEC tries
to attack more but it is Raja who have goal scene after goal scene as tiredness
and exhaution seems to grow among the Ivorian defenders and they look nervous
when attempting to bring the ball forward
-('77) suddenly a big opportunity
for ASEC when Raja keeper Chadli rescues in the last moment against the
broken through ASEC attackers
-('78)-(') an epic fight:
both give all they have left and the match goes back and forth in highest
pace
-('89) ASEC substitute keeper
Kone who had not looked confident before, saves well a shot from half left
for a corner
-('90+2) as both attack,
ASEC defence is exposed and Raja use the space: Sami through on the right
centers perfectly for #30 (a substitute) who heads it into the wide open
goal - 3:0
-ASEC desperately attack
and there should be much injury time played. Now its the Moroccan players
who remain 'injured' on the ground after each challenge
-('90+6) again a cross from
the right and a beautiful volley chip by #10 puts away the match
for the home team - 4:0
final score 4:0
A great match, much better
than most of what I could see in the the recent times. Raja Casablanca
are qualified for the final, the young ASEC team were not able to create
enough chances themselves on a pitch which did not suit their game.
African Champions League final 2nd leg
Dec 13 1630? GMT:
Zamalek Cairo
- Raja Casablanca 1:0 (1st
leg 0:0)
check with egyptiansoccer.com
for live coverage
alternatively you may try
hazememam.com
(the first leg report mysteriously
disappeared from this page but will be searched for - it had been a defensive
attitude, especially from Zamalek and hardly clear cut chances at all) |
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