Players Rating Liberia, Cameroun Clash
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Wleh Bedell
The Lone Star of Liberia 1-2 loss to the Indomitable Lions of
Cameroun in a group five African Nations cup qualifier at the ATS
last Sunday has left the Lone Star in a state of no hope with their
more illustrious opponents needing just one point at home on July
16, against the Amavubis of Rwanda in packing their bags for
Africa's most festive soccer event.
The virtually young Lone Star under ex-international striker
Frank Jericho Nagbe admidst the pre match tension put up a gallant
fight, and were desperate losers to the four times African
champions.
How did the players perform with respect to their rankings is
analyzed below.
Sunday Seah- His selection as
the man between the sticks raised serious eyebrows as he has since
left the post for the striking position where he has turned a goal
merchant for Indonesian premiership outfit Presiwa Mena.
On the day he put up some good show but also looked rusty
especially with the goal scored by the deadly Samuel Eto'o Fils.
The player nicknamed Sparta misjudged as evidence of he
attempting to make a catch order than parrying the Barcelona's
attack kin pin spectacular left footed volley which gave the
visitors a two goal cushion.
However, he can be credited for making few nerve wrecking saves
on a one to one situation from the likes of Achille Webo, Samuel
Eto'o Fils and second half substitute Idrissou Mahamadou.
Rating: 6/10
Ben Teekloh-The
Romanian club Farul Cantana defender cum holding midfielder was not
lethal during the attack, but very accurate under pressure.
He showed some composure and intelligence when his side was on
the back foot. The opponents' were lurking on the wings, but the
defense ace proved his worth.
At times though he was really needed upfront to serve as an extra
man, but judging from the strength of the opposition he was very
much cautious. The lanky harder worker was mostly involved in
defensive than offensive functions.
Rating:6/10
Chris Gbandi-The
MLS Dallas Burn wing back put up a nervy performance in his second
coming.
After the debacle on October 10, 2004 when the Lone Star team was
chased by angry fans after unsurprisingly losing out to a well
drilled Senegal's Lion Teranga 0-3 at the SKD, the calm footballer
marked his second international with a virtually uninspiring
performance as he was made light weather of at times.
He brought a semblance of hope in the team though as his
ferocious shot from the edge of the the opponents' box slightly
rocketed the cross bar with goalie Carlos Idrissa Kameni standing
helpless. At times he was outnumbered as the recovery runs from team
mates seemed questionable.
Rating:5/10
Ousman Larmin-
The Swedish First Division club Ljunske holding
midfielder who operated as center back for the Lone Star for the
second time running started badly but ended well. His huge physical
presence and lithe marking ability proved a handful for the
opponents' at times.
At some point especially during the first stanza he was
exposed to questionable marking due to the lack of concentration
mainly because of the opposition mazy runs and options when on the
front foot. Rating:6/10
Murphy Nagbe-
The burly Indonesian premiership club PSMS Medan
defense ace put up a virtuoso performance against Africa's most
ranked side. Despite receiving a knock on the thigh after ten
minutes, he showed class and was the rock at the back.
His aerial prowess, uncompromising man marking ability and good
view of the game enabled the "red, white and blue" outfit to hang
into the contest.
At times though he stood accused of losing his nerves especially
during the proceedings when his side had conceded the long range
goal from balance midfielder Stephane Mbia of Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.
During such period he conceded possession, but in all proved a
tough opponent for his direct marker Achille Webo of La liga side
Osasuna.
The no nonsense rearguard also served as cover up for the wing
backs on a number of occasion and was the heart and soul of the Lone
Star back four.
Stephen Mennoh-
The goal scorer of Indonesian top flight side Persita Tangaran
operated as the holding midfielder with some grace as he created a
shield in front the back four.
It was indeed an intriguing contest between him and OSC Lille
industrious midfielder Jean II Makoun. He showed his gritty form ,
but at most point lacked the telling balls upfront to enable his
team execute the element of surprise.
After moving in to a more offensive role mid way in the second
period the natural ball winner made the dotting run in the attacking
third to rotate the score line. Rating:
7/10
James Koko Lomell-
The team mate of defense ace Murphy Nagbe in the Indonesian Liga
D'jarum started the fray on an erratic note but soon made amends
when he was switched from the right side of midfield to his
preferred central role.
In the eighth minute, his suicidal first time back pass caused a
serious trouble as his side went down by a goal.
Also, his recovery runs were unsatisfactory until the last
quarter before recess when he provided penetration to the front line
and as well used his skills and vision to the service of the team.
He was a delight to watch in the middle of the park for a
protracted period, but ran out of steam in the last quarter and
reverted to a holding role position.
His performance was encouraging, and with the explosive Eto'o
holding him by the hand taking him to the locker room after the
melee to present to him his outfit including the gray Puma boot is a
pointer of his performance.
Rating-7/10
Dulee Johnson-The Allsvenskan
club AIK inventive midfielder was the biggest flop of the day.
Starting as the offensive midfielder who should have played just
eight meters behind the front two, the diminutive playmaker put up a
below par performance and had to be placed at the lateral end of
midfield to provide width.
He conceded possession at will and was a suspect in his passing
and stand accused of making pointless touches in the middle third.
His substitution during the break was no surprise to pundits who saw
him as being harmful order than being helpful to the team.
Rating: 4/10
Zah Krangar-
The pocket sized ball conjurer of Indonesian elite club Sriwijaya
was a joy to watch during most part of the match. Against the highly
experienced Geremi Njitap Sorel Fotso, the youngster was the
revelation of the duel as his superb ball artistry, trickery and
deft touches enabled the Lone Star put up a brave fight against the
1990 World cup quarterfinalists.
He was more lively in the second half and showed a beautiful
piece of individual brilliance when he body swerved his way past two
roaring lions in the form of Chelsea reject Geremi and mammoth
Premiership side Reading Andre Bikey to unselfishly tee up play mate
Stephen Mennoh close to the six yard box as the latter scored the
easiest of goals on the weekend to reduce the arrears, and could
have put the Lone Star back on level terms when his ambitious effort
was parried over the cross bar by shot stopper Kameni.
His performance showed that while a man or a player may be small
his true size is his heart. Playing against his former coach Jules
Federic Nyonga who was at Cameroonian club Racing Bafosan in 2003
the lad maybe had a lot to prove.
Frank Seator-On
paper he was the leader of the team as evidence of being the most
experienced player for his side.
The former PSMS Medan front runner However did not play to the
liking of many and barely threatened the opponents' goal.
His runs were uninspiring, shots uncontrolled and seemed to lack
the composure in the box and cool headedness in front of goal.
Many frowned on the decision to keep him on for the whole match,
but the lack of depth in the team enabled the Asian football
conqueror to survive the six quarters tussle.
One would argue that what menace would have a local lad like
Vatalise Gobeo Sieh cause against the unique two some of captain
Rigobert Song Bahanag and Andre Bikey when Seator could not survive.
But, again football is not logic and on a day anything can
happen. Also the striker and captain could have being substituted
for a midfielder and then place either Mennoh or Lomell upfront to
try get the ultimate. Rating:5/10
Francis Doe- He is being
tipped as the torch bearer of the new generation of stars, but
surprisingly failed to prove his worth.
The net buster failed to stamp his authority in the attacking
third and made an easy opponent for his marker Song.
Perhaps his flair and tenacity upfront was well read this time by
the Galatassary man via video recording where he made a difficult
opponent for the Cameroonian captain in the corresponding fixture.
He was tightly marked and became frustrated at some point in the
match as he became the enemy of the fans with unwanted gestures.
His runs deep infield was however the notable tool for the team
and looked a bit rusty since he terminated his contract with Greek
club Attromitos on mutual
consent.
Rating:6/10
Johnny Bleedee-The former
Hearts of Oak winger who has since found life with new club LPRC-Oilers
on the local scene created few anxious moments, but was not well
supplied and was a bit over enthusiastic as he conceded a lot of
possession.
Coming on as a second half substitute for a dreadful Dulee
Johnson, Johnny was not much offense oriented but impeded the
opponents' game plan to some extent as their organizer Stephane Mbia
was well marked until he had to be substituted due to injury.
Rating:3/5
Varmah Kpoto- The once
reliable defender who is frantically in the hunt to re launch his
career at LPRC-Oilers belatedly came on for Chris Gbandi. He made
little or no contribution as referee Coulibaly Koman sounded his
whistle for the end of hostilities.
Rating: 2/5
