The first LG Cup staged in Libya will go down as one of the best in the tournament’s four-year history, according to the sponsors and organisers.
The host nation followed up last Wednesday’s convincing 2-1 win over pre-tournament favourites Nigeria with an edgy but well-deserved 1-0 victory against Jordan in front of more than 50,000 screaming fans on Friday, October 22. The win on home soil clinched Libya’s first LG Cup trophy and pocketed the team the winner’s cheque for US$50,000.
Striker Nader Karah also won a top-of-the-range LG camera mobile phone after being voted the tournament’s most valuable player. Karah scored all three of Libya’s goals at the US$100,000 LG Cup, including the all-important penalty in Friday’s closely contested final.
“Libya is beginning a new era of engagement with the rest of the world, and the four-nation LG Cup was the perfect platform to promote the country’s considerable potential as a regional and international football contender,” said K.H Kim, President of LG Electronics Middle East and Africa Operations, who headed a large LG delegation at the LG Cup matches at June 11 Stadium in Tripoli.
Mohammed Gaddafi, son of the Libyan ruler Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, also attended the games as guest of honour, and helped present the teams with their trophies and medals.
Kim added: “The quality of football on show, the enthusiasm of the fans, and the great result for the home team made for a truly memorable LG Cup 2004 – Libya. The occasion was also the best possible way to advertise LG’s good name, reinforcing the company’s unparalleled commitment to Libya as a responsible corporate citizen.”
With 18 goals scored over two nights of top-class international soccer action, the entertainment value of the LG Cup 2004 – Libya exceeded even the organisers’ wildest expectations. With tickets priced at less than US$1 each, an estimated 100,000 fans attended the four games, enjoying the first international soccer tournament to be held in Libya for years.
Nigeria and Ecuador, competing for third place on Friday night, served up an 11-goal thriller, Ecuador finally subduing the Super Eagles 4-3 in a penalty shoot out after the sides ended normal time level at 2-2.
Celebrating their first appearance at the LG Cup, the Latin Americans deservedly earned the US$20,000 prize for finishing in the bronze medal position, and goalkeeper Damian Moyano made a name for himself with a crucial penalty save against Nigeria’s Ikedinachi Nwakanma.
Though frustrated not to win their first LG Cup, Jordan were tough opponents in Friday’s final against Libya, and were a shadow of the team that finished last at the four-nation LG Cup tournament in Lagos, Nigeria earlier this year.
Khaled Al Maltaah, Mahmoud Shelbaieh, and Faisel Suleiman all hit the target in a 3-0 thrashing of Ecuador in the first game of the LG Cup 2004 - Libya, while keeper Amer Sabbah won the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper award. Jordan received the runners-up cheque for US$30,000.
