Opportunistic in the First Half, More Enterprising in the Second, "Sang et Or" Prevailed with Experience Over Marsa's Enthusiasm
In a match where the result was paramount, Marsa and Esperance opted from the start for a game entirely focused on offense. The first dangerous opportunity of the match belonged to Marsa when Anouar Jouini, with a powerful shot from the edge of the 16-meter zone, attempted to deceive Béchir Ben Saïd, but the latter, on high alert, intercepted the ball (12'). Marsa returned to the charge eleven minutes later: Omar Traidi's powerful long-range shot was deflected into a corner by the "Sang et Or" goalkeeper (23'). The visitors' reaction was not long in coming, with Chiheb Jebali attempting a shot from the penalty area, which was poorly framed and sailed well over (25'). A few minutes later, it was Philip Adejoh's turn to try his luck, accelerating down the right before sending a shot deflected into a corner by Ben Saïd (39'). And while Marsa had been more dangerous, the tide turned in favor of their hosts in the additional time of the initial period: following a free kick taken by Yan Sasse, Hamza Jelassi headed the ball for Mohamed Amine Tougaï, who, with a flick, placed the ball in the net (45'+2).
Danho and Jabri: The Starter and the Substitute, Both Scorers
In the second half, the "Sang et Or" were more enterprising and sought to kill the game. The determination of Youssef Belaïli's teammates, and their experience as well, made the difference. At the 53', Belaïli missed an open goal when, after doing the hardest part, he saw his cross-shot from the left brush against the second post. But this was not to discourage the Algerian left winger, who came back to the charge a few minutes later, slipping down the left, dribbling past Marsa's defender Chaouech, and serving Florian Danho, who only had to finish the job (67'). At the 73', Danho gave way to Jabri. In the image of the starter, the substitute also found the path to the net and drove the nail into the coffin in the additional time: served behind the defenders by Guenichi, Jabri finished the job and sent a powerful shot that left Marsa's goalkeeper, Sami Hlel, speechless (90'+3). In summary, the experience of the "Sang et Or" prevailed over the enthusiasm of Marsa, who have no reason to be ashamed of their defeat. They had the merit of fighting until the end.
Lineups:
- ASM (Marsa): Hlel, Chaouech (Hammemi 78'), Karoui, Arfaoui, O. Jebali, Gneba, Khaloui (Neji 69'), Adejoh, Traidi (Kalu 68'), Jouini (Hichri 79'), and Hadhri.
- EST (Esperance): Ben Saïd, Ben Ali, Laifi, Tougaï, Jelassi, Guenichi, Tka, Ch. Jebali (Boualia 73'), Sasse (Ogbelu 64'), Danho (Jabri 73'), and Belaïli (Koudhai 90'+2).
