Etoile Slays the Giant: Postgame Impressions

November 10th, 2007 | by: Rami | Comments(9)

So I finally got to see how the victory materialized yesterday. I couldn’t tackle this post so soon after reading and watching so much much about this game. With a good nights sleep behind me, I am going to give it a try.

Everyone knew how high the stakes were. Al Ahly is Africa’s team of the century and was going for an unprecedented 3rd Champions league title in succession (and their 6th over all). On the other end, there was Etoile which has won everything there is to win in African and Arab football but had never taken the much coveted Champions league title. Once the game got underway their strategy was clear: Stay solid in defense, press when it’s necessary, and rely on speedy counter attacks to try to get the goal that would let some doubt creep into the mind of the Egyptians.

The key for Etoile was not to concede in the first 25 minutes and they managed to do so effectively despite some worrying moments. They withstood an early barrage from the Al Ahly and were saved by their keeper on multiple occasions (this became a running theme throughout the night). Balbouli came up big time and time again. An early goal would have filled a confident team with a lot more of it and thankfully this scenario did not materialize. Once Etoile settled in and started to play their own brand of attacking football, some chinks in the Ahly armor began to show, especially on the right side with Saber Ben Fraj looking as dangerous as always. It was no surprise therefore that the goal came from this very side, and what a killer time to get it. Right before the halftime whistle blew; off of a beautiful Ben Fraj cross that found Aghrebi who made no mistake from near the penalty spot.

The halftime result looked harsh for the Ahly side which had an edge in possession and shots on goal. The side wasted no time getting back into things as the coach’s halftime substitutions paid instant dividends. Even though this scoreline would have seen Etoile go through on the away goals rule, I think all Tunisians were thinking the same thing: “This is no good.” And it quickly looked like going from bad to worse. The Ahly fans were re-energized and so was their experienced team. Some gamesmanship and time wasting immediately following the goal by the shakey Etoile side gave the youngsters some time to relax and realize there was still much work to be done.

Just when things looked to be turning the Egyptian way, Etoile got two big breaks as what seemed to be legitimate penalty appeals by the Ahly side were waved off by the referee. Some will make a lot of this and I can see their point of view. Still though, these things happen in finals. It just sucks when your team is the one that suffers. Luck plays a big role in these one and done deals. Last year CSS had a perfectly legal goal taken away for a blatantly wrong offside call and this year Etoile has some decisions go in their favor. What can you do? C’est la vie.

Besides that I thought the Moroccan referee did a really good job and managed the big game well. One decision he got absolutely correct was the sending off of the Ahly goalscorer. Amine Chermiti was through on goal and was almost certain to score when he was taken down professionally by Nahass. This was one of the turning points of the match as it gave Etoile more room to operate and gave a hint that this just may be the night they break their duck in this competition.

Full credit to Al Ahly for not giving up in the face of these bad fortunes but it was truly Etoile’s night who would go on to win the match deservedly. People (including myself) keep saying the team is young but I think many forgot that they are still an experienced side that has shown their worth over the last five years by winning everything besides this cup. The two injury time goals cemented the result and lit the fuse for celebrations to get underway in Sousse and the rest of Tunisia. Seeing Balbouli climb up onto the goal post and wave his hands in celebration put the icing on the cake as it was a clear signal to the opposing keeper who did this very same thing in Rades last year when Al Ahy stunned Sfax in the dying seconds of the match.

It was entertaining stuff and I’m very proud that Tunisia will be represented for the first time in the Club World Championships. Etoile faces Mexican side Pachuca in their first game on December 9th and the exciting prospect of taking on none other than Copa Libertatores and Argentine superclub Boca Juniors on the 12th if they win! Sounds like Christmas has come early this year! Here is the tournament table.

It’s too bad that the postgame celebrations and trophy presentation didn’t go off so well. If you want to read about it, the BBC has an article detailing the events. I don’t want to get too deeply into it as this is a time of celebration for Etoile and Tunisia as a whole. A bunch of bitter fans and journalists won’t change that no matter what.

All in all, a fantastic night of football with lots of twists and turns in the action. I’m just glad we came out on top for once. Al Ahly’s place in history is assured and I’m sure they’ll be back but their days of terrorizing Tunisian clubs year after year are done and dusted. Phew…

The Goals

Don’t be surprised if this guy doesn’t sound interested or excited when Etoile scores and goes nuts when Ahly does. It’s the commentary for the Egyptian viewers. ART makes sure that there’s two points of view available which I think is actually a good way of doing it. This just happens to be the better edited version so I’m using it.