Safa (in blue) needed a last minute goal to defeat Dempo 1-0 at home in the first leg of their AFC Cup semi-final clash. (AFP)BEIRUT – Hamze Aboud scored a last minute goal to give Lebanon’s Safa a 1-0 win against Dempo SC in the first leg match of this year's AFC Cup semi-finals at Beirut Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.
Safa scored the only goal of the game after a corner from the left was cleared by the Indian side’s defence before Abboud controlled the ball on his chest and fired a powerful shot into the net with the help of the crossbar.
The victory gives the Lebanese side a narrow advantage before the second leg of the semi-final, which will be played in Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium on October 21.
Safa were the better side in the opening exchanges although they were not able to create any notable opportunities until the 14th minute, when Ali Al Saadi sent his free kick over the crossbar.
One minute later, Safa went close when striker Rony Azar, who scored a brace in the previous match against Perak, saw his goal-bound effort from inside the area saved by Dempo goalkeeper Sathiesh Kumar.
The best chance in the first half came on the half-hour mark when Mohamad Korhani’s free kick from the right was saved as Kumar dived to his right.
Safa had another chance in the third minute of first half stoppage time when Moroccan midfielder Hamid Tarmina shot over the crossbar, leaving the teams scores at the half-time break.
The hosts continued their pressure in the second half as their coach Samir Saad brought in striker Mohammad Kassas but Safa were unable to create many clear-cut chances as Dempo spent most of the second half sitting in their own penalty area.
As full time approached, Safa increased their pressure and they should have scored six minutes from time when Hamid Tarmina met a cross from the right with a header but the ball went just over the crossbar.
However, Safa were rewarded in the final minute when Aboud handed his side the only goal of the game – and an advantage to defend in the second leg in two weeks’ time – with a fine strike that gave Kumar little chance.
Source:The AFC.com
