Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Pyramids FC Advance after win defeating Auckland City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Pyramids Advance after defeating Auckland City in Intercontinental Cup

Pyramids FC has progressed to the next round of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after a decisive 3-0 win over Auckland City in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup Play-off.

Goals from Walid El Karti, Marwan Hamdy, and Mostafa Ziko were pivotal at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, as the dominant African champions triumphed over the tough challenge posed by their Oceania rivals.

Pyramids will now advance to compete against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, the champions of the AFC Champions League Elite, in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup – and are only two matches away from a chance at the Intercontinental Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Egyptians continued to press the visitors’ goal and thought they had scored again just before the half-hour mark. However, Mohamed Hamdy’s strong header was correctly ruled out for offside.

Auckland’s best chance came on a counter-attack. Dylan Manickum was clear on goal but missed wide, wasting a great opportunity for a surprise equaliser in the second half.

However, Marwan Hamdy ended any hopes for Auckland by scoring 16 minutes from time with a powerful header from close range.

Substitute Ziko then added a third goal, taking advantage of the tiring Auckland defence and curling a great shot inside the far post.

Al Ahli now waits for Pyramids. The winner of that match will face either Mexico’s Cruz Azul, the Concacaf Champions Cup winners, or the yet-to-be-determined CONMEBOL Libertadores champions.

Whichever team wins from that FIFA Challenger Cup match will go on to compete for the Intercontinental Cup against PSG, the champions of Europe.

Pyramids’ goal: Walid El Karti (14), Marwan Hamdy (74), Mostafa Ziko (85)

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho nets on Celtic debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho nets on Celtic debut

Debutant Kelechi Iheanacho scored for Celtic as they defeated Kilmarnock at Rugby Park 2-1 on Sunday in added time.

Iheanacho, who signed with Celtic on a one-year contract that includes an option for an additional year, earlier this month, has opened his account.

Celtic had the first chance early in the match when Liam Scales received a corner-kick but couldn’t hit the target.

They dominated possession for the first 20 minutes, holding nearly 80 per cent of the ball, but struggled to create clear chances as Kilmarnock defended deep.
Sebastian Tounekti made an impressive debut on the left wing for Celtic. After 30 minutes, he attempted a lob over the Kilmarnock goalkeeper but missed. He later set up Benjamin Nygren, who failed to score, while Cameron Carter-Vickers forced a save from Max Stryjek with a long shot.

Kilmarnock nearly scored early in the second half, but David Watson missed a free-kick opportunity. Celtic took the lead when Daizen Maeda scored a diving header from a Marcelo Saracchi cross. Ten minutes later, Nygren’s shot was blocked.

With 20 minutes left, Kelechi Iheanacho made his debut, replacing Maeda. Though Celtic created chances, they couldn’t add to their lead. Kilmarnock equalised with a header from Watson off a corner with under 10 minutes remaining.

In a dramatic finish, Celtic was awarded a penalty after a VAR handball check. Iheanacho scored with the last kick of the game, securing a 2-1 win and maintaining Celtic’s unbeaten start to the Premiership season.

Sierra Leone's Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Vaasan Palloseura debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Mamadou Wurie Jalloh makes Vaasan Palloseura debut

Sierra Leone's young keeper, Mamadou Wurie Jalloh, made his debut with Veikkausliiga side Vaasan Palloseura in their 2-1 win over FC KTP in their battle for survival in Finland.

Sierra Leone’s young keeper, Mamadou Wurie Jalloh, made his debut with Veikkausliiga side Vaasan Palloseura in their 2-1 win over FC KTP in their battle for survival.

Goals from Prosper Ahiabu and Olli Jakonen gave the hosts their two-goal lead before Matias Paavola scored for the visitors in the 62nd minute, but it was too late as they could not recover from the early goals conceded.

Mamadou Jalloh stepped between the posts for the first time and was pleased to represent the VPS shirt.

“A great debut considering the starting points. A ragged week ahead, having just returned from the national team games. He came in very open-minded and brave.

“It’s great to see a young boy come in with a lot of self-confidence, Nuorela rejoices. It was a pleasure to get my professional senior debut at just 18, a big dream came true,” Jalloh expressed after the final whistle.

Striker Daniel Kanu nets to help Walsall draw at Fleetwood Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu nets to help Walsall draw at Fleetwood Town

Sierra Leone international Daniel Kanu scored for Walsall, helping them draw 1-1 with Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Fleetwood scored first in the game, but Kanu equalised just ten minutes later. This draw extended Walsall’s unbeaten streak to four games across all competitions and marked their first goal against Fleetwood since 2016.

Head Coach Mat Sadler made one change to the team that won against Chesterfield last weekend. Charlie Lakin was suspended, so Courtney Clarke started in midfield.

Walsall had an early chance when Evan Weir’s free kick from 30 yards went over the bar. Fleetwood’s Ryan Graydon rounded Walsall’s keeper Myles Roberts in the 12th minute but was denied by defender Aden Flint. Graydon scored a header from a corner three minutes later.

Walsall equalised in the 25th minute when Flint set up Kanu for a close-range tap-in. They nearly took the lead after Lewis Warrington hit the woodwork with a shot from 25 yards.

Substitute Rico Richards almost scored on his debut, forcing a great save from Fleetwood’s Jay Lynch. Despite their efforts, the match ended in a draw.

Striker Augustine Williams named to USL Player of the Week
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams named to USL Player of the Week

Pittsburgh Riverhounds forward Augi Williams has been named the USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 27 after scoring both goals in the team's 2-0 win over Oakland Roots SC on Sunday.

Williams scored the first goal just four minutes into the match, seizing a loose ball in the middle of the penalty area and finishing it with a low shot.

His second goal came from the penalty spot just before halftime, as he converted the penalty after being tripped at the top of the box. This two-goal performance also marked significant milestones for Williams, a veteran in his 10th year, now playing with the Hounds.

The first goal represented his 100th contribution in terms of goals and assists combined in the USL Championship regular season, and he currently ranks second on the league’s all-time scoring list with 83 goals.

In addition to his scoring in the victory against Oakland, Williams won 8 out of 10 aerial duels (totalling 12 out of 19 duels overall) and drew three fouls for the Hounds, which includes the penalty he earned in the first half.

Williams is the second player from the Hounds to receive the Player of the Week title this season, following Robbie Mertz, who received the accolade in Week 14.

Furthermore, Williams earned a position on the USL Championship Team of the Week, which featured Mertz on the bench after he created a match-high four chances, delivered nine total crosses, and achieved an impressive passing accuracy of 88.9 per cent during the win on Sunday.

100 USL Championship goal contributions in the regular season for Augi Williams!
100 USL Championship goal contributions in the regular season for Augi Williams!