Credit to Military G (Ban) & Natman4 (Ava)

» Friendlies

With Libya being knocked out of the first groups stage of the World Cup qualifying on goal difference they face a long wait for competitive football. Their next competitive matches will come around when the qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2012 African Cup in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea commences in 2011. But before that the Libyian FA have announced four friendlies that will take place in 2009 and 2010.

The first of these will take place in Tripoli when Libya face off against neighbours Eygpt on the 9th September 2009. The teams first met in 1967 when Egypt ran out 3-2 winners. Since then the teams have met twelve times with Eygpt winning seven of them. The last meeting between the sides was a Friendly in 2007 which ended goalless.On the 5th June 2010 Mozambique will be visiting the 11 June Stadium for only the second time in the nations history the first of which was in 1985. The only other times these teams met was also in 1985 when Libya travelled to Maputo in Mozambique where they ended losing 2-1.The third friendly on the 8th September 2010 will be of historically importance as well as football because Libya will be facing Italy for the first time. This friendly is seen as a major step in relations between the two nations since Italy invaded Libya in 1912 and left in 1942.The last friendly will take place on the 17th November 2010 when Libya travel to Montenagro which will be the first meeting between the two sides.

» Best Players

Goalkeeper ~ Samir Abbud
Defender ~ Younes Shibani
Midfield ~ Ahmed Saed Osman
Forward ~ Ali Elmelyan

Credit to Military G (Ban) & Natman4 (Ava)

09.09.2009
Friendly

(85th)Vs(37th)

» Pre-Match

Andreas Aloisi's first match in charge of the Libyan National side couldn't of been any bigger as they took on bitter rivals Egypt who only had to hop over the border to face them. Egypt were the favourites to win this match with the likes of Trika, Zaki and Mido all excepted to give the Libyan defenders a hard time. If the home side were to have a good chance at winning this match then they would have to hope Ahmed Osman brings his A-Game.

» As it Happened

- Not the start the Home side wanted as they find themselves a goal down within 39 seconds thanks to a pinpoint Ghaly pass which released Zaki free on goal who with a low shot put the Egyptians ahead. The Libyan defence was nowhere to be seen and with the power on the shot the goalkeeper didn't have a chance.

- A brilliant response from the home side after that early set back as they pull back level five minutes after going behind thanks to a fantastic 20 Yard goal from Al-Ittihad striker Rewani. This was after a great passing move which ended with Dawood laying off Rewani.

- Heartbreak for Libya as on the half-hour mark the Egyptians retake the lead from a well worked corner which ended up with Zaki heading in his second goal. Hassan played the corner short to Trika who whipped the ball into the near post and with a death touch Zaki guided the ball in to the far post past the flailing keeper.


- It looked like Libya would be heading out of the match with a loss but with three minutes left on the clock they have drew back level again through evergreen striker Ali Elmelyan who at 35 years old is making his international debut today. But all credit has to go to right winger Walid Mhadeb who credited the goal after leaving Egypt’s Moawad on the floor with some great skill before sending a pinpoint pass to Elmelyan on the edge of the box who curled it in.

» Post Match

Aloisi can be proud of this result as his side have caused a small shock against the superior Egypt in this match. The visitors didn't have the match their own way with both teams being fairly equal in turns or possession and shots. The way the Libyans came from behind twice must be the most positive thing Aloisi can take out of this match.

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Credit to Military G (Ban) & Natman4 (Ava)