Dulee
Passes First Test
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April 10, 2006
Simon Reeves
Liberian international Dulee Johnson passed his first real test with
flying colors on Sunday when his Swedish club AIK Solna drew 2-2 at
home to Gefle on day one of the premiership.
Before a full house of more than 23,000 spectators, Dulee took charge
and commanded a midfield including Ghanaian wonder boy Derrick Boateng
which totally outclassed their opponents and saw his side dominating
for most of the game.
However, for all its possession, AIK fell behind against the run of
play when the visitors opened the scoring in the 16th minute after
former Swedish international Johan Mjallby failed to prevent striker
Daniel Ytterbom from tapping from close range.
Spurred on by the Black Army (as their fans are called), AIK
maintained their offensive posture and grabbed an equalizer through a
penalty superbly converted by defender Markus Jonsson.
Dulee's name was written all over the second goal when he broke up a
Gefle attack, set up midfielder Mats Rubarth who connected Norwegian
striker Ben Huskler.
It was a perfect buildup and expert finishing which rocked the
stadium.
The visitors, however, remained undaunted and were given the equalizer
on the silver platter after the defense of AIK misjudged a counter
attack allowing Kristen Vikkmae to score in the 61st minute.
AIK fans were satisfied with the result considering the pressure of
coming back into the top flight.
"There is a long way to go and we are satisfied that the first match
produced a point," noted a singing fan.
For Dulee, a win would have crowned a wonderful day in which he was
the club's man of the match: "It would have been great for us to win
all the points. But a draw is not bad. We have a lot of work to do,"
he said.
AIK has a lot of work to do if the club is to be regarded as one of
the favorites this season.
Many Swedish commentators have predicted a mid-table finish for the
country's most popular team.
They note that historically no team returning to the premiership has
gone on to win the title.
But Dulee and Co are committed to proving these experts wrong. They
meet Oster on Monday in the second rounds.
Meanwhile, Dioh Williams and Jimmy Dixon's BK Hacken played to a
one-all draw against giants Malmo FF on Monday night.
New Coach Begins Work Today -Premier& First Division On Drawing Board
Following months of still in the country, the Liberia National team
newly contracted Egyptian foreign coach Shawky Hussien Mahmoud Shehab
El Din is expected to begin his news assignment in the country today,
Monday April 10, 2006.
A citation issued to Premier, First and Second Division Clubs by the
Liberia Football Association (LFA) on Thursday, April 6, 2006 said
"The National Coach in conjunction with the Liberia Football
Association (LFA) will conduct a two days justification and selection
of players to make up the Senior National Team.
"The justification and selection process will commence on Monday,
April 10, 2006 and end on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 8:00am each day
at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS)." It also said "During these
sessions each match will last for sixty (60) minutes and we would
appreciate were your coaches to parade all of the players of your team
during the session." Today, Monday, April 10, 2006 at 8:00am, all
Premier and First Division Teams are to assemble and dressed in their
uniform while on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 8:00am all Second Division
Teams are to assemble and dressed in their uniform, the citation
concluded.
Pundits say this latest development is highly encouraging ahead of the
forthcoming African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.
But they hope that will also be extended to the overseas players
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