BEIRUT: Ali Kirki’s 73rd-minute strike sent Safa through to the AFC Cup knockout stages after the Beirut club overcame Al-Suwaiq 1-0 at Cite Sportive in Beirut Wednesday.
The two-time defending Lebanese league champions improved to 12 points at the top of Group A and maintained their perfect record with four wins from as many matches.
Jordanian side That Ras made it a two-horse race for top spot in the group Wednesday, trouncing Tajikistan’s Ravshan 5-1 to remain in second place on nine points, six points above Al-Suwaiq and a further three ahead of Wednesday’s opponents.
Safa made light of their threadbare squad, including the suspended pair of Constantin Toba and Rony Azar, who joined the injured Ali Saade and Ali Nassereddine on the sidelines.
They managed to keep their opponents at bay for most of an uneventful first half, with only Saad al-Mazrouki testing Safa’s goalkeeper Ziad al-Samad, who saved well from the attacker’s 39th-minute strike.
Safa responded shortly afterward through Hamzah Salameh, whose attempt brushed against the roof of the net to signal the end of the opening period.
The guests were more adventurous after the restart, venturing forward in search of the opening goal, but Safa maintained their shape and occasionally threatened on the break.
Samad was called into action once again early in the second half, thwarting Mohammad al-Ghassani after his strike looked destined for the bottom corner.
The warning only strengthened Safa’s resolve, as the hosts regained their dominance in midfield.
And they finally broke the deadlock 17 minutes from time, Kirki meeting Joseph Habbouch’s fizzed-in free kick with a thumping header that arrowed into the top corner.
Safa face second-placed That Ras next Tuesday with a draw or better guaranteeing them first place in Group A.
Meanwhile, Nejmeh kept their qualification hopes alive with a valuable 0-0 draw at Fanja Tuesday.
Theo Bucker’s side are in second place in Group B on five points, level with Fanja but ahead courtesy of the head-to-head rule.
They next face group leaders (9) Al-Kuwait next Wednesday.
The Daily Star