Liberia 3-2 Gambia: Lone Star win Independence Day clash against the Scorpions

Liberia

Thousands of Liberian football fans received a special July 26 Independence Day gift from the country’s national football team on Sunday, as they beat their rivals in a friendly

The Lone Star of Liberia defeated the Scorpions of Gambia 3-2 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports complex in Paynesville outside Monrovia.

Both countries featured their best local talent in a match that the coaches saw as a superb opportunity to strengthen their respective squads for future challenges.

The Scorpions began on the attack in a tense opening few minutes, but that was short-lived as the Lone Star rejuvenated every department of their squad, raising their quality level and getting the required result.

Indonesia based Zah Krangar went on a brilliant run and wasted no time in locating James Soto Roberts, squeezing his way through 30 yards away from the goal and chipping the ball over scorpions keeper Musa Kamara to break the deadlock.

They Gambians were not deterred, and they were motivated to find their way back into the game. Foday Trawally made use of his speed as he ran past former Liberia captain Joe Nagbe to grab the equaliser, thus leveling the tie leading into the break.

In the second half the Liberians took responsibility and mounted serious pressure on the Gambians and with 50 minutes on the clock Liberia’s top goal scorer Vatalie Sieh did what he does best in front of the home fans as he jumped up to meet a cross from Jonah Sawieh to make it 2-1 for his team.

It would have been 3-1 by then, but Zah kraingar squandered a penalty into the palms of goalkeeper Musa Kamara.

Gambia made several changes to the squad, introducing Mustapha Jiata, Sulnyman Marr, Buly Drammeh and Modu Carr in an attempt to get the three points, but the tactical substitutions had little impact as Liberia scored another goal through substitute Marcus Marcauley.

But while the home side began to celebrate and relax, Gambia scored another goal through a defensive mistake by Joe Nagbe who allowed Trawally to register a brace in the final moments of the Independence Day encounter.

Goal.com