The Syrian National Team opened the score early in the 8th minute of play. Forward Mohamad Alzino accepted a pass coming from the left flank from midfielder Wael Ayan and fired a shot to the near post, beating Haitian goalkeeper Occenat Peterson to his left.
Syria doubled the lead at the 26th minute. On a play initiated by Feras Ismail, forward Firas Al Khatib dribbled over a few meters and from the edge of the box, fired a high shot that found the back of the net after hitting the inner side of the crossbar.
Haiti forward Léonel St-Preux narrowed the lead (29th) to one goal, less than three minutes later. St-Preux deflected with a head a cross from midfielder Sirin Vaniel, beating Mosab Balhous to the far post.
At the 84th minute, Haitian midfielder Sirin Vaniel came close to equalizing the score by deflecting a shot with a head, but Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous dove to his right to make the save.
Despite the rainy weather, the teams were cheered by 4,649 enthusiastic spectators, in this international game presented in collaboration with Emirates Canadian Sports Development and Gameday Leadership Management Consultants.
"Despite a small assistance due to weather conditions, there was an extraordinary atmosphere today at Saputo Stadium," said Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo. "Soccer fans were treated to a great show and got the opportunity to root for their team on various occasions. This bodes well for the other international games that will be played this summer."
In the scope of this game series, the Montreal Impact will play against the Haitian selection Wednesday, July 1st, at 7:30 pm, before facing Syria, Wednesday, July 8, at 7:30 pm, at Saputo Stadium. Tickets for these games are currently available through Admission (514-790-1245 / admission.com) or at the ticketing office of Saputo Stadium. Prices range from $10 to $30 (taxes included).
Meanwhile, the Impact will play its next regular season game against the Timbers in Portland, Sunday, at PGE Park, at 8 pm (USLlive.com).
LINEUP – SYRIAN NATIONAL TEAM
GK-Mosab Balhous, D-Ali Dyab, D-Belal Abduldaim, D-Ahmad Haj Mhuhmad (Abd Al Razak Al Housian, 70th) M-Jehad Alhussien (Majed Alhaj, 86th), M-Bakri Tarab, M-Wael Ayan (Aattef Jennat, 58th), M-Firas Ismail, F-Mohamad Alzino (Raja Rafe, 65th), F-Firas Alkhatib, F-Hamzeh Alitoni
LINEUP – HAITIAN NATIONAL SELECTION
GK-Occenat Peterson (Jean-Dominique Zepherin, 46th), D-Markorel Sampeur (Exumé Simpson, 84th), D-Nesly Fellinga, D-Frantz Bertin, D-Bruny Pierre-Richard, M-Sirin Vaniel, M-Judelin Aveska, M-Monès Chery (Jean-Marc Alexandre, 77th), M-Raymond Ednerson, M-Brunel Fucien (Jerome Robins, 65th), F-Leonel Saint Preux
GOALS
SYR: Mohamad Alzino (Wael Ayan) – 8th minute
SYR: Firas Al Khatib (Firas Ismail) – 26th minute
HTI: Léonel St Preux (Sirin Vaniel) – 29th minute
SHOTS ON GOAL SYR 11 HTI 10
SAVES SYR 7 HTI 5
FOULS SYR 10 HTI 6
OFFSIDE SYR 3 HTI 4
CORNERS SYR 3 HTI 8
CAUTIONS
HTI - Raymon Ednerson (38th)
SYR - Wael Ayan (42nd)
SYR - Feras Ismail (74th)
OTHER GAMES
• Sunday, June 28 – IMPACT @ Portland – PGE Park – 8 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, July 1 – Haiti VS IMPACT – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, July 5 – Charleston @ IMPACT – 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports, Radio-Canada, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, July 8 – Syria VS IMPACT – 7:30 pm
*International games
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
