Liberia U-23 Olympic qualifier campaign ends


LiberianSoccer.com Beat Reporter Bruce Wiah

June 28, 2003
A fiercely contested match, but an unlucky Liberia U-23 team had their dreams of qualifying for the 2004 Olympic games dented by the Black Meteors of Ghana.

Liberia went down 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium from an own goal in the 41st minute of the match.

The Black Meteors with three changes in the team that walloped Liberia 5-0 in the first leg at Obuasi, lost tempers and had to rely on an own goal to cruise through to the next round.

A rejuvenated team, the defense, midfield and attack were ready to atone for previous lapses in their first two encounters.

Murphy Nagbe, Markson Gray assisted by Wesseh walker and Tubman Johnson in lateral position rendered dashing wingers Don Bortey and Asamoah-Frimpong Kwabena of Ghana ineffectual.

It was an unfortunate way to crown a splendid afternoon for James Cooper, who had a Samuel Kyere shot, deflected for the lone goal of the match in the 41st minute.

Strengthened by the return of Ben Teekloh in midfield, the Lone Star clinch fists on the Ghanaians from the blast of the first whistle, but again failed to grab a goal.

Following an early control by the Black Meteors, it was Ben Teekloh that forced a tempting save out of Isaac Amoako in the 20th minute.

James Lomell had his piledriver echoed the woodwork in the 22nd minutes, but wasted the best chance for his team in the 35th minute.

The Maritzburg midfielder received a cutback on the arc of the Ghanaian penalty area, boogied his way between two defenders, but failed to get around the goalkeeper.

Godfrey Williams of the Lone Star proved stunning on more than a few occasions, but his alert save from a Barusso Apimah close effort rates him as the player of the afternoon.

The second half witnessed an anxious fight with both teams coming close to scoring on numerous occasions.

But the greatest chance for the Liberians to draw level came in the 90th minute.

Substitute striker Buston Browne that wasted a twin-chance in the first leg, was misguided to score the equalizer.

The bursting striker trapped a Mara Kicmett volley and despite being unmarked, he bowed in confusion as John Paintsil of Ghana cleared his lines.

Eliminated 6-0 on aggregate, the refugee dominated Liberia U-23 team is yet to get a win in three matches.