In 3-Day Tournament, Lone Star Draws With Indonesia Based

July 31, 2006

Michael Gebeh


The Lone Star of Liberia comprising of purely local-based players from the under 23 national team yesterday drew with the Indonesian-based professional players 0-0 in front of a record crowd at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.

The game was the final match in a three-day tournament organized by the Liberia Football Association to commemorate this year's Independence Day and to raise funds for the support of the national team.

The tournament featuring three teams namely, the Lone Star, the Sports for the Development of the Underprivileged (SDU) All Stars and the Indonesian-based began on 26 Day with the Lone Star taking on SDU All Stars.

Yesterday's exciting 0-0 match saw the Indonesian-based players walking away with the giant sized trophy despite the draw. The Indonesia-based won the tournament on goal difference.

On the opening day of the tournament, The Lone Star won their first match against the SDU 3-2 while the Indonesian-based won their first match on Friday, July 28 against SDU 3-1 thus making them winner of the three-day tournament.

Yesterday's match was graced by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who took the kick-off. House Speaker Edwin M. Snowe, a host of government officials and other dignitaries also attended the soccer encounters.

President Sirleaf, upon arriving at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium, greeted players of both teams to the applause of the thousands of soccer fans who turned out to support the teams.


The game which was full of exciting moments saw Alex Nimely of the Lone Star missing two bright chances in the first ten minutes of the game. The local boys put up an aggressive attacking show during the first 30 minutes of the match and parts of the dying minutes of the first half. They looked more composed in the defense and midfield but lacked perfect finishing. Goal Keeper Sunday Seah was however outstanding for the Indonesian-based.

However, the from out soon gained their composure and began to play an attacking ball in the second half of the match. Their brightest chance came in the final minute of the match when Perry Kollie broke through the defense but could only manage to put the ball over the cross bar.

At the end of the match several players received trophies for their outstanding performance. Those awarded were, Nuzuha Kulala, Most Valuable Player, Sunday Seah, Best Goal Keeper and Rashidi Williams, Best Defender. Two persons, Nuzuha Kulala and Perry Kollie were the highest scorers in the tournament with 2 goals each. No trophy was presented because of the tie. The Most Improve Player award was won by Nicodemus Jacobs while Jerry Yerkeh won the award as best Referee of the tournament.