Liberia lose 2-1
to Guinea in Accra
( Prince Daye scored the Lone Goal for Liberia)
June
21, 2003
Liberia’s Lone Star on Saturday went down to their Guinean
counterparts 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium in an ANC qualifier
match.
The Lone Star with four foreign-based and majority Liberian Refugees
put up a brave fight against an experience Guinea team, which was
insufficient to overpower the group leader.
The lack of fitness and inexperience told much on the Liberian team in
the second half, as the midfield was completely tattered.
Foday Mansare from France the main tormentor of the Liberian defense
fired wide from close range in the 5th minute of the match after his
team squeezed in two quick corners
Following another near let pass in the 2nd minute of the match, Guinea
had their noses in front on 11 minutes from a classic goalkeeping
error.
France-based Souleymane Youla scurried between trees of players to
head in a feeble punch by Eric Glasgow of Liberia.
Lone Star that should have gone ahead in the 3rd minute when Frank
Seator shot wide from close range drew level on 20 minutes through
their skipper Prince Daye.
The former SC Bastia winger fielding in a defense role curled a left
footed drive from outside the area that had Camara Kemoko panting.
Liberia however wasted another chance of going ahead again in the 43
minute when a James Lomell volley put Amos Kicmett in a one on one
situation with the Guinean goalkeeper.
The debutant forward raced passed Soumah Morlaye and Sylla Kanfoly but
pushed the ball faster than he could reach for the goalkeeper to make
an easy catch.
In the second half, the Syli National continued their domination that
payoff in the 50th minute from a defensive mistake.
Souleymane Youla squeezed a left foot shoot to the left of on rushing
Eric Glasgow from a defensive slip-up to confirmed Guinea clench on
group 2.
For the rest of the game, the Liberian team did not threaten the
opponents’ goal area except in the 66th minute when Himie Freeman
blasted wide in front of an empty goal.
Gambian referee Modou Sowe waved a penalty appeal after a Frank Seator
shot was clearly handled by Sylla Aboulaye in the penalty area.
Thousand of Liberians including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Charles
Brumskein, Elwood Dunn, Lewis Browne and other Political leaders
attending Peace Talks in Ghana watched the match.
Although the result means Liberia stands a slim chance of Qualifying
for Tunisia 2004, their fans were equally joyful by their performance.
They received a huge cheer as their bus drove pass thousand of
Liberians who had come from around Ghana to see their nation being
represented by Buduburam Refugee camp football players.
|
|
