FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Modou Nyang
11 September 2007
The Scorpions defeated Algeria 2-1 on Sunday fighting from a goal down. Algeria took the lead in the 53 minute following a goalless first half. But Assan Jatta came from the bench and fired the home side on level terms.
Jatta rounded off the Algerian goalkeeper after being superbly setup by Mustapha Jarjue, to fire home the all-important goal. And Mathew Mendy controlled well inside in the Algerian Box to slot home the match winner in the 87th minute.
The Desert Foxes took a surprise lead early in the second period from some lose play by the Scorpions. Mustapha Jarjue failed to connect to a throw from Pa Saikou Kujabi and when the visitors took off for a counter attack, they outnumbered the Scorpions defenders. Abdoulie Corr (Paco) and Lamin Conateh (Babaye) forced them to play the ball away to the edge of the area but when the cross went in, Saifi Rafik was on hand to head into Musa Bajaha's net.
The Scorpions technicians responded by introducing Jatta for Njogu Demba and the Belgium Based striker became an instant threat to the North Africans. And when Ebrima Sohna was given the nod for the injured Edrissa Sonko, the Scorpions regained the midfield to allow Jatta and co to ruin their tricks. With some stability in midfield Toubabo was able to locate the rushing Jatta in the 71st minute and the leggy striker rounded off the keeper and put the Scorpions back into game.
Back on terms the Scorpions were reduced to 10 on the pitch when debutant Ousman Jallow was red carded. Jallow making his senior debut was involved in a scuffle with the Algerian defenders after the Gambia's goal and when the referee sought the opinion of his assistant, Jallow was off. Jallow earlier missed a penalty when he was fouled inside the Algerian area.
It didn't came much difference as the Scorpions continued to push for the break through and the moment came again with the involvement of Assan Jatta. The visitors defence was played out inside their penalty area and as the ball begged for legs Mathew Mendy showed up and coolly drove in the winner.
In the corresponding fixture between Guinea and Cape Verde in Guinea, the Cyli National won 4-0 to seal a place in the Nations Cup as group winners. The Guineans now have a 11 points to Gambia and Algeria's 8. The defeat to the Desert Foxes by the Scorpions meant South Africa take the remaining spot for the second best placed teams.
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