By Danesius Marteh, archie2024@gmail.com
FC Fassell and Proxy SC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Jewel Sports Park in Cairo, Egypt on 3 September.
The Soccer Missionaries took the lead in the 80th minute from a well-coordinated play.
Vitalis Sie, Junior, who is following his father Vitalis Sie, Senior’s legacy at Fassell and was deployed at left back, played a long pass to Tonia Tisdell.
Tisdell sent another long ball into the Proxy’s penalty box, which was intercepted by Robin Hney.
Hney eliminated Belal, who fouled him in the danger area, and referee Mohammed Tarek blew for a penalty.
Captain Zah Rahan Kranger set-up to send goalie Goma one way and the ball another way.
But Proxy, who ended the second division two (A) in eight place with seven wins, eight draws and four defeats, were leveled in the 86th minute.
Messi angled a shot on the ark of the penalty box but goalie Ahmed Tijan Savage had a flying fingertip for a corner kick.
Belal moved from zero to hero when he headed home the equalizer with Fassell’s defense sleeping.
It was the fifth friendly for Fassell, who drew 1-1 with Zanzibar’s Jeshi Kujenga Uchumi Sports Club on 22 August, 2-2 with Iraq’s Al Shorta Sports Club on 27 August and a 3-0 win over Egypt’s AS Raja on 31 at Jewel before suffering a 5-0 defeat to Egypt’s Al Shams Sports Club in Heliopolis outside Cairo on 1 September.
Fassell head coach Ivan Minnaert said his team were good in possession and everything but conceded a late goal.
“We lacked concentration at that moment in the 86th or 87 minute. I don’t think they were dangerous. We created more chances but we need to work on the last pass [to score] because it is not always accurate. The lack of concentration is more on the defenders than goalkeepers. So we need to do better,” said Ivan.
Asked whether he has settled on his first eleven ahead of the season, Ivan said: “We still have players, who aren’t here and in Liberia. We have Terry Sackor [on national duty], Edwin Johnson [who got injured enroute to Egypt]. So we don’t have a first team yet. We have 20-22 players, who can be part of the first eleven.”
Proxy performance analyst Mazon Magdy was full of praises for Hney and Kranger.
“It was a good game. Both teams were good and I think you will have good performances [in your league] this season.
“Lots of your players are too good. Maybe this season or next season, you will go to play in African Cup [CAF club tournament]. I think two players in your team can play in Europe with good skills and performance,” said Mazon, who added that age will be a factor for Zah.
Fassell are expected to play another friendly before ending their pre-season camp on 6 September.
Line ups
Fassell: 1-Tijan Savage (goalie), 4-Titus Yeah, 5-Josephus Mator, 9-Robin Hney, 10-Zah Kranger (captain) 17-Delton Kollie, 23-Mustafa Zarzif, 24-Solomon Grimes, 25-Josiah Cea, 29-Vitalis Sie, Jr. and 30-Mark Yallah.
Substitutes: 2-Tonia Tisdell, 6-Emmanuel Reyah, 7-Motton Seyou, 12-Morris Kromah (goalie), 19-Amos Diamagyie, 21-Theo Nimely, 22-Armah Moore (goalie), 28-Nawfal Chbada, 31-Edward Weeks and 32-Junior Juduboy.
Proxy: 3-Moutaz, 5-Camara, 7-Desha, 10-Cheraz, 16-Goma (goalie), 27-Desoki, 28-Fawzi, 30-Nadi, 32-Hamadi (captain), 34-Belal and 39-Mohammed Amuor.
Substitutes: 3-Mohammed Nasr, 4-El Feel, 6-Elarabe, 11-Omar, 12-Bakr, 14-Messi, 15-Anouf, 16-Haidar, 17-Mano, 20-Aboda, 21-Omara, 25-Omar, 27-Samir, 40-Aboda and 41-Omar Anwar.
