It appeared that Liberia had done enough to earn a point on the road at Cape Verde, but in a repeat of the encounter earlier this week between the teams, the Blue Sharks stole a late winner for three more crucial points in FIFA World Cup qualifying. A volley in the 90th minute from Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes just snuck over the goal line to move the hosts within two points of Group C leaders Nigeria and keep things suspenseful heading into the final stretch. Another heartbreaking result for Liberia leaves the Lone Star mathematically eliminated from contention for the final round.
The early proceedings were dominated by the hosts but they faced a stubborn Liberian defense that kept the match scoreless by halftime. In the 3rd minute, Mendes produced some good dribbling and a low cross to find Nuno Borges, whose shot was well saved by Lone Star keeper Tommy Songos. Mendes had a chance himself when Jamiro Monteiro bravely challenged Songos for an aerial ball and Songos could only weakly palm the ball away, but the Al Nasr forward mishit his shot wide with Songos in a tough position.
Cape Verde came close again before halftime when a 44th minute short corner went to João Paulo, who sent in a cross that was flicked on by a Vagner header, clipping the crossbar on its way over. Soon after halftime an opportunity finally fell the way of the visitors. Moussa Sanoh burst down the left wing and crossed to find Kpah Sherman, who laid the ball off to Abraham Soumaoro for a shot over the Cape Verde goal.
In the end of a match that Liberia probably deserved a point out of, it was the captain Mendes who won it for Cape Verde off a well designed set piece. Substitute Kenny Rocha Santos played a low corner kick towards the corner of the Liberian penalty area, where fellow sub Willy Semedo whipped in a cross that found an open Mendes. The volley from Mendes was well hit and Songos got in front of the shot, but after his initial save went off the post he could not spring back in time to keep the ball from going just over the goal line.
Another dramatic victory keeps the excitement and tension high in Group C. Click the link below to see the highlights from Mindelo.
