| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 19. Khaled Mouelhi (41’) |
Esperance win Tunisian Derby
Esperance have taken complete control of
their UEFA Champions League Group A with a 1-0 home win over compatriots Etoile
du Sahel on Sunday night.
The victory in the Tunisian Derby leaves
defending champions Esperance with a full haul of none points from their three
games so far, five ahead of their nearest challengers.
Etoile are in third in the pool, behind Nigeria’s
Sunshine Stars on goal-difference with both teams on four points.
The only goal of the game was scored by Khaled
Mouelhi from the penalty-spot four minutes before halftime to give the hosts a
deserved win.
There was big pressure from Esperance
from the start with two great saves by Aymen Mathlouthi in the first five minutes
from free-kicks by Khalil Chemmam and Driss Mhirsi.
Etoile’s Moussa Maazou tried to get a strike
on goal minutes later but great defending by Sameh Derbali halted him
The crucial moment in the game came as Khalil
Chemmam was felled in the box by Mossab Sassi and a penalty awarded, with Mouelhi
converting with ease.
The second period lacked any rhythm as
both teams battled with fatigue and Esperance were able to hold on for the victory
that gives them one foot in the semifinals.
The teams will meet again in the reverse
fixture on August 18, with Etoile this time having home advantage.
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