The week 6 encounter between Lions FC and Ambassadors FC ended in a stalemate on Sunday July 9 following a disallowed goal in the on going African-khmer Unity cup tournament in Phnom penh Cambodia.
Ambassador FC took the lead in the 50th minute through wonder kid Emmanuel “Asia burger” after a goalless first half. The 20 year old sensation sliced through the Lions defense before unleashing a ground past Goalkeeper Ly Heang to give his side a 1-0 lead. Lions FC attack led by George Kelechi and Hassan continued to fight back for the equalizer to no avail. In the 60th minute, Veteran striker Nelson Oladiji, in an exact replica of Asia Burger’s goal sliced through the Ambassador Defense before sending a low drive which beat Goalkeeper Mark to draw level. With both sides needing a draw to have any hope of qualification, the match became a ding dong affairs and tension rising as both fans continue to scream. Asian Burger beats his marker in the 65th minute and tipped the ball over the on rushing Goalkeeper to put Ambassador ahead but the AR’s flag was up and the referee called off the goal adjudging Asian Burger to be in an offside position in the build up to the goal.
The Stadium went up into flames as Ambassador’s Fans called for the VAR to review. This led to a pandemonium as the Match officials were crowded and by the time the reviewed the avalanche of videos on ground the Center referee insisted it was an offside thus infuriating the Ambassador side and the players staged a walk out. The match was thus called off and awaiting the decisions of the organizers.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Real Phnom Penh gave themselves a chance to qualify with an emphatic 3-0 win over Imperial FC with a brace from former ISI Dangkor Striker Blessing while Basic FC had to fight hard to dispatch New Peace United 3-2 in the late kick off.
Basic FC raced to a 2-0 lead through Dzarma Bata and Dialo but New Peace were not going to go down without a fight like they always do and came back to 2-2 before Dzarma Bata’s second goal of the night from the penalty spot after veteran Gbenga Ajayi had been brought down in the box.
Basic FC are now through to the Semi finals with 13 points with a game in hand. Marlians who rested this weekend are on 10 points in 2nd place while Imperial despite their loss to Real Phnom Penh remains in 3rd place with 7 points. Real Phnom Penh’s win over Imperial leap frogged them to 4th place above LION FC with 6 points. With just one more game to go in the qualifying round, the battle for qualification remain open for all the teams except Peace United and Ambassadors with only 2 points from 5 matches.
