Iraq defeat Sierra Leone

Maddieu A A T Kabba

The Iraq national team this past Wednesday defeated their Sierra Leonean opponent 1-0 on at the Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.

The only goal of the day came in the 5^th minute of play courtesy of striker Nashit Akram following an error from the Sierra Leonean defense in the twenty four yard box.

However, Leone Stars came close to grabbing an equalizer just a minute before halftime after striker Alhaji Kamara, failed to beat the Iraq goalkeeper, Mohammed Kassid in a one- on- one encounter.

Playing without most of their key players, Leone Stars started the second segment on a good footing, gaining lot of possessions with several chances created but only having the cross bar to bless when a Kerrerg Muhhammed header in the 60^th minute hit the post and bounced away.

Goalkeeper, Christian Caulker, was quick to make amends for his part in Akram’s goals by making three possible saves to deny the Iraqis in extending their lead but in the 85^th minute he was lucky to escape with only a yellow card after a hard challenge out of his box on incomer, Hammadi Ahmed.

Sierra Leone’s best ever chance to tie the game came just two minutes of normal time after debutant and Cyprus based midfielder, Issa Zuma Kamara could not get his shot direct to the goal following a tussle in the Iraqi 18 yard box.

However, Coach John Keister was impressed with his boy’s performance despite the result. He said: “It was a difficult game but the result does not matter; what was important was the performance in such a stage of football.”

Tomorrow Leone Stars will engage Jordan national in their second friendly.