Thursday evening witnessed a thrilling goal fest in Algiers as MC Alger moved back to the top of the table in Algeria's Ligue 1 Profesisonnelle with a 3-2 victory over JS Kabylie.
It was always going to be a difficult match for MCA but despite rotating some players, The Boss went up two goals before holding off a late charge from the visitors. The first half appeared set to end in a stalemate but the hosts snatched the lead in stoppage time when a shot from Akram Bouras took a big ricochet into the goal off a JSK defender.
MCA put some distance between themselves and their opponents in the 65th minute. Larbi Tabti made an excellent effort to keep the ball in play on the end line and lay back to Bouras who crossed low for Zakaria Naidji to fire in from close range.
The match was far from over, however. The visitors from Tizi Ouzou fought their way back into the match seven minutes later courtesy of debutant Ivan Ignatjev. The Russian, an arrival from Armenian football following a prolific spell, came off the bench to open his account with a headed goal in the 72nd minute to pull one back for JSK.
But the hosts remained one step ahead of JSK and it was Tayeb Meziani who put the Mouloudia club beyond reach in the 79th minute. An excellent pass over the top of the JSK defense from Mohamed Zoungrana sent Meziani in on goal and the forward put a bouncing shot beyond the reach of JSK goalkeeper Mohamed Hadid. Berkane Redouane scored a few minutes later for JSK who could not find an equalizer in the final minutes.
MCA move back ahead of Algiers rivals CR Belouizdad with two points separating the two giants of Algerian football, who will meet on Sunday in the Algerian Cup at the Round of 32 stage. JSK remain in fourth place following the defeat.
League Table (Top-5)
GP | Points | |
MC Alger | 16 | 31 |
CR Belouizdad | 16 | 29 |
USM Alger | 15 | 25 |
JS Kabylie | 16 | 25 |
CS Constantine | 16 | 24 |
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