Second
Leg Battle For Russia!
May 10, 2006
The Liberia National female U-20 national team is expected to leave
the country today May 11 for Nigeria under the tutelage of former
international goalkeeper Lucretius Togba and within four days they
could seal their way through to the European state of Russia for the
FIFA Under 20 Women's World Championship.
The one year old Liberian U-20 female team is leaving with a 26 men
delegation headed by the Liberia Football Association (LFA) Vice
President for Operationf (VPO), Adoulf Lawrence.
The 26 men Liberia delegation according to the local football house
comprises of 20 players, four technical staff and two officials.
The 20 players are Mamie Kamara, Miatta Jallebah, Patrick Klon,
Florence Monboe, Savanna Jarbo and Dehkontee Sayon.
Others are Barjoan Barwu, Yeanie George, Cecelia Seibo, Justine
Jipply, Monica Cooper and Famitta Dean.
The rest include Famitta Boimah, Catherina Deshield, Christiana
Myers, Amelia Washington, Bendu Goi, Shirley Dolo, Patience Williams
and Cherie Sayon.
The Technical Staff are Lucretius Togbar, Head Coach; Lawrence,
Trainer; Philderald Pratt, Doctor and Patricia Collins, Team
Manager.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports will be represented by the Deputy
Minister Marbue Richards.
In the earlier stage of the ongoing campaign the Female U-20 cruised
to the next round without a ball due to withdrawal by their Guinean
counterpart.
They were then pair against Algeria, and surprisingly they returned
home in flying colors after frustrating their opponents 3-2.
The hard working midfielder Monica Copper, clinical finisher
Christiana Myers and inventive Bendu Goi were the scorers.
The 3-2 victory score line by the Liberian side eventually led to
the Algerian withdraw from the competition thus giving the young
Liberian side full license to meet the much favored Nigerian side in
the first leg fortnight ago at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS).
The Liberia National Female U-20 managed to survive the onslaught of
their more illustrious Nigerian counterparts when they snatched draw
from the jaws of victory.
The intriguing battle, which was played at a packed Antoinette
Tubman Stadium (ATS), was the first leg of the third and final round
of the FIFA Women qualifiers to see who would book one of the two
African tickets to the U-20 Women World Cup in Russia in August.
A Decontee Syon's own goal after 67minutes sent the visitors in a
buoyant mood.
But Christina Myers soon silenced them when she turned the sorrow of
many Liberians in to joy, thanks to a terrific volley against the
run of play two minutes later.
But, all credit for the host draw must go to their eccentric goalie
Mamie Karama who stood between the Nigerian and total disgrace.
The promising goalie made up to ten nerve wrecking saves to deny the
adventurous Nigerians a win.
In a virtually one sided contest, the visitors enjoyed a lion share
of possession with most part of the game being played in the half of
the female Lone Star.
Mamie Karmara was the savior, and at times had to operate as a back
sweeper to rescue her side.
Both teams employed the 4-4-2 formation in an attempt to get a foot
in Russia.
The Nigerians under the tutelage of Emmanuel Tetteh Okonkwo attacked
in droves, while the Liberians under helmanship of Lucretius Togba
defended in numbers, with the match being described by many as
attack against defense.
With the first in which the Liberian side was more defense, all eyes
will be on the head coach Lucretius Togba as to what will be his
strategy this time around since they will be playing away against
highly rated Nigerian side on Saturday May 13 in Nigeria.
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