BEIRUT: Nejmeh remained at the top of the standings despite their 1-1 draw against fellow title rivals Ahed Sunday during round 18 of the Lebanese Football league at Cite Sportive Sunday.
Prior to the match, Nejmeh had registered seven consecutive victories under German head coach Theo Bucker to move from fourth place at the end of the first leg to first, with five rounds remaining.
Ahed’s game was one of a four-match swing that will potentially decide the winners of the league, as Nejmeh will face Safa, Ansar and Racing in the final three rounds.
Veteran midfielder Abbas Atwi’s penalty gave the home side the lead on 27 minutes after Ahed defender Hussein Ayoub handled inside the area. Ahed equalized through Ali al-Atat in the 79th minute, before Nejmeh were reduced to 10 men when Syrian defender Abdel-Nasr Hasan was shown red for bringing Tarek al-Ali down four minutes from the end.
Nejmeh are now first with 36 points, three points ahead of Racing, who squandered two vital points after being held to a 1-1 draw against Shabab Al-Sahel.
Two-time defending champions Safa have the chance to move one point behind the leaders when they face sixth-placed Ansar Monday.
In other results, Salam Zgharta and Mabarra played out a 1-1 draw, with both teams fighting to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
They are still in 10th and 11th place, respectively.
Tripoli also registered a timely victory against neighbors Ijtimaai 2-0 to remain in mid-table.
Source: The Daily Star