Al Ansar renewed its victory over its traditional rival, Al Nejmeh, with a score of 2-1 (halftime 1-1) in a match held this afternoon at the Rashid Karami Municipal Stadium in Tripoli. The game was witnessed by a large crowd that missed Lebanese football fields, concluding the fifth round of matches in the "Leading Group" for the top six teams at the end of the first round of the 63rd Lebanese Football League season.
Senegalese striker Hajj Malik Tal opened the scoring for "the Green Leader" in the third minute with a ground shot from inside the area into the far right corner of goalkeeper Ali El-Sab'a after an excellent pass from Hassan Maatouk.
Hassan Korani equalized for Al Nejmeh from a penalty in the 41st minute, awarded by referee Mohammad Issa after a foul by Ali Tanish "Sisi" on Portuguese player Vitor Bara inside the area. Korani shot the ball to the left of goalkeeper Nazih Asaad, who moved in the opposite direction.
After intense pressure throughout the second half, Hajj Malik scored the winning goal for Al Ansar in the 84th minute with a header that placed the ball into the far bottom corner of El-Sab'a's net, following a high pass from Nasar Nasar from the right side of the area.
Al Ansar's points increased to 23, tying with Al Ahed, while Al Nejmeh’s points remained at 19.
