Liberia Vs Angola
LoneStar Players Ratings


By: Wleh Bedell

Nathaniel Sherman- This was just his third international cap and though there was not much frightening saves which needed to be made, he however gave good account of the ones he had to deal with and even made a host of descent saves from free kicks. The UMC Roots custodian was however poor in his distribution as his boring and predictable long balls which caused his team to abandon the patient build-up play posed serious problems for his literally not-too favored aerially, strikers who were second best to the taller and more physical Angolans.
Rating: 6/10

Trokon Zeon-The Invincible Eleven (IE) full back over enthusiastic style caused him to be erratic especially during the first stanza. He also seemed disinterested in encouraging play from the rear as he was often not willing to go wide to receive a pass from the last line of defense. One thing he showed was spirit and desire and was never afraid to throw in a tackle as he had that never say die attitude and was never afraid to make mistakes. The former Roza man raised his game in the second half, and while he was not lethal during the attack, he was seemingly accurate under pressure.
Rating: 5/10

George Gebro-Injury they say is players’ nightmare. Up to the injury of the former Israeli club Hapoel Pikta Tiva all-rounder after 19 minutes, the defense had a good coverage and someone who was commanding. The always aggressive marker made a couple of descent promising runs and good diagonal balls which helped his side a lot. He started on a pressure-cooker note as he was in it with the visitors. Always coming up in the fifty, fifty balls and like his younger compatriot Zeon was never afraid to throw in a tackle.
Rating: 5/10

Solomon Wesseh- The former Mighty Barrolle stopper showed some promise as he helped ensure the defense kept a clean sheet. He kept rein on opponents and executed timely. After the injury of Gebro, he moved to the left side of defense where his movement in terms of rampaging forward was not visible. While his undoing was his inability to venture forward as a means of complementing his side attack, he was a tough marker whose persistence and hunger for the ball made his impact felt. Was not the speedy of players however as he was at times outpaced but not to greater effect as the score line showed in the end. Rating: 5/10

Teah Dennis Jr.-what more is there to say about the former Monrovia Breweries rearguard? He combined effectively with his playmates in frustrating Manucho as he could not rattle the net, a task; the fresh from on loan with Jimmy Dixon’s Manisaspor of Turkey striker was given by Coach Lito Vidigal. Though Manucho won most part of the aerial battle by providing innumerable flicks, the towering Angolan path finder received most of his balls with back turned to the opponents’ goal as the Lone Star rising star whose father Teah Dennis, Sr. was a no nonsense defender of LPRC Oilers shepherd Manucho. The body language of the striker said it all as the lad nicknamed ‘Teddy Baysah’ marshaled the back four in ensuring the opposition did not create serious clear cut chances. Rating: 7/10

Myers Garlo- Coming on for the injured George Gebro, the Barrack Young Controllers biting defender showed a strong presence. There were at times he and his teammates caused anxious moments from a negative standpoint as they were not coordinating with regularity and composure and looked a bit disjointed. He would however join them in making amends to deny the adventurous opponents. He won tackles as well and was quick to help the team switch from defense to attack on numerous occasions.
Rating: 5/10

Ben Teekloh- Wearing the Captain Arm band in place of the absent South African club Super Sports United Anthony Snothi Laffor, the former Al- Nasr man provided the protective coverage for his side back four to some effect. His timing, patience, calmness and intelligence was promising, but his Achilles’ heel in the fray was his not too favorable link up play in setting the team on the front foot. The long range connections did not quite materialize, but his side way, back and forward passes in close range were awesome. His injury after 25 minutes caused some disconnection and lack of cohesion in the middle third. Rating: 6/10

Isaac Pupo- Fresh from signing a new contract with Swedish side Hammarby, the set piece orchestrater could not build on his superb performance against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde on June 5 where the Lone Star recorded their first win in the ongoing qualifiers and their first win in a competitive showpiece in five years. His usual defense splitting passes and telegraph supplies were missing as he could not impose his style on the opponents. Sitting just eight meters behind the front two in the trequartista role, the former FC Karabaka of Azerbaijan playmaker could not provide the much needed service for the strikers which made the opponents not to be threatened for most part of the six-quarter tussle. Nonetheless, the former LPRC Oilers starlet tried to ignite something by executing his trade mark set pieces, one of which troubled the goalkeeper after recess which he parried for a special set piece/corner. On the day, the left footed craft man could not pull the magic wand in the middle of the park to trouble to hunting Palancas Negras.
Rating: 5/10

Sekou Jabateh Oliseh- There seems to be much pressure on the country’s most profile player at the moment in terms of current form and status of club. One thing for sure is that he is more effective as a winger order than a center forward where he uses his pace in great fashion to run at and take on opponents. Much was expected of him, but the lack of quality supply of passes, his decision to be more individualistic order than team-minded as well as his non vintage display in the end caused him to have a poor match by his standards. Take nothing away from him though as he used his skills to cause some havoc to the opponents who apparently knowing of his exploits were keen on containing him. But, his close range miss in the dying ambers could have wrapped the game. On another day, he would have buried it, and as former Brazil’s legendary striker Romario Souza de Farias once said “a good scorer is a good misser”, so it was with the Nigerian-trained-Danish-promoted-Russian-based-Liberian international.
Rating: 5/10

Anus Toure- The colored hair debutant showed he is endowed with much pace and good work ethic. His recovery runs were fantastic, but, he failed to provide the deliveries to playmates in the final third. The former youth international was mostly keen on getting pass his marker order than giving early balls. He had acres of space to release balls quickly, but chose to go alone in taking on opponents which did not yield dividends. Besides, he operated too wide reminiscent of a wide man in a 4-3-3 formation which was not pleasing at a tactical standpoint.Rating: 4/10

Dioh Williams- The one time Most Valuable Player in the Diana Cup swapped position with Jabateh on quite a number of occasions. He was the skill workshop upfront; as the lanky curl leg assassin dribbled pass the athletically built opponents with ease, grace and style. He was quite a handful to the Sable Antelopes (English meaning for the Portuguese names, Palancas Negras). But, while the former AGF Aarhus trail blazer used his mesmerizing skills to unsettle the visitors, his lack of potency in terms of firing towards goal was his major undoing.Rating: 6/10

Francis Doe- He was the most business minded forward for the Lone Star. His deft touches, subtle moves, mazy runs and tormenting ability proved a handful for the Angolans. One major regret from a Lone Star perspective is that he lacked much service and toiled under the flood light as he made endless runs and fought indefatigably to find a way in punishing the Wednesday’s opponents, but to no avail as he could not get the back of the net. His late minute shot which was disposition by the substitute goalkeeper Wilson showed the former Cameroonian side Tonnerre Klara Club finisher was on a mission.

It is quite unbelievable that such a player of prodigious talent would play second fiddle on Al-Ahly, but one can only respect the decision of the former Angolan national team Portuguese tactician at Ahly, Jose Manuel.Rating: 7/10

Martin Kerndu- The youngster who he came on for the injured Teekloh stood in front the back four, but with must of a burden as the opponents were too quick and powerful. He however managed to get into the game as it progressed and made some neat tackles which saved his side as well. His usual calmness and simple passing game was seen as the Lone Star competed fiercely with their well drilled counterparts.Rating: 4/10

Dulee Johnson- His introduction into the melee made the midfield maintain its shape as he restored parity tactically. The 2002 African Nations Cup fringe member brought into the game his usual short crisp passing game as there was some penetration which caused the team to be more positive. He helped stabilized the midfield and his contribution after his introduction makes one to believe he had what the team was lacking in most part of the match, great positional play and tactical awareness.Rating: 5/10

Patrick Wleh-The former Gedi& Sons player struggled to settle in the match. But, this does not in any way mean he was poor. Nicknamed ‘Ronaldinho’, the lad tried to finesse something special via his trickery, but the always packed defense of the Angolans made things cagey and a bit difficult for him. The injury too dealt him a major blow as he had to be substituted.Rating: 4/10

James Soto Roberts- The former Bassa defenders asset had little time to make an impact as he first had to get in to the game from a tactical rating before making a major contribution. He however made some runs and helped the team defensively.Rating: 4/10

Leon Power Quamie- coming on in injury time, the Watanga FC pocket-sized mover had very little to offer. He was planted on the left channel, but made less touches as the game was technically over when he got on. He was however lively and was keen to impress as his body language showed he was delighted to be a part of the contest no matter what time given.Rating: 2/10

The next issue will be about recommendation for future friendly matches, players’ selection and tactical guide to the epic clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe on the weekend of September 2-4 in Harare.