BEIRUT: The legendary Lebanese football coach Adnan Hussein Mekdache died on Tuesday aged 80, sparking an outpouring of mourning and tributes from fans and former teammates.
Dubbed Adnan Al-Sharqi, the former striker, coach and manager of the celebrated Al-Ansar Sporting Club, lost his battle with cancer at Beirut Military Hospital shortly before sunrise.
Born in Beirut in November 1941, Al-Sharqi, played for several clubs in Kuwait, Egypt and Lebanon. But his name was synonymous with Al-Ansar, where he first played between 1955 and 1957 and went on to spend more than 40 years as a player, coach and manager.
Al-Sharqi led the then second tier Al-Ansar to the Lebanese Premier League in 1967 as a player-coach.
His nephew, Ebrahim Mekdache told Arab News that no words could describe his uncle’s legacy on the pitch and across the Lebanese sporting arena. He described him as a “celebrated football icon whose achievements spoke prominently about who he was.”
“At home he was such a kind, warm and funny character. He loved his family just like everybody loved him,” Ebrahim said.
During his tenure at Al-Ansar, Al-Sharqi became the world’s first football coach to win 11 consecutive championships - a world record. He won the titles between 1988 and 1999 as well as winning the Lebanese Cup 12 times between 1988 and 2000.
Nejme Club’s former player, coach and director Ibrahim Zaazaa, who played alongside Al-Sharqi during a brief spell at Nejme in the 1967/1968 season, said he was a pillar of Lebanese football and Al-Ansar Club.
“He was one of the greatest left wingers and played a vital role in qualifying Al-Ansar to the top tier,” Zaazaa told Arab News. “He was a phenomenal manager and coach who achieved an unparalleled benchmark by having Ansar register their name in the Guinness World Record.”
An Ansar fan, Bassam Al-Deek, told Arab News that Al-Sharqi was a “great player, coach and leader who had inspired several generations.”
“He had been the main pillar of Al-Ansar and the national team. He motivated players to achieve epic success capitalizing on his experience and paternal approach,” Al-Deek, who spent his teenage years watching Al-Ansar and Al-Sharqi, said.
In July 1995, Al-Sharqi became the only Lebanese coach named the Asian Football Confederation Coach of the Month.
He played for the national team during the 1966 Arab Cup and spent several stints as the national team coach.
News of Al-Sharqi’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media praising his legacy and achievements.
Al-Ansar and Nejme Clubs posted photos and obituaries commemorating Al-Sharqi on their social media handles while dozens of former players and co-workers shared videos of him.
His family confirmed, Al-Sharqi had died from cancer after spending 45 days in hospital.
Al-Ansar Club’s home ground, Beirut Municipal Stadium, will host Al-Sharqi’s funeral on Wednesday noon.
Legendary Lebanese football coach, Adnan Al-Sharqi, who won 11 league titles in a row, dies aged 80
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Legendary Lebanese football coach, Adnan Al-Sharqi, who won 11 league titles in a row, dies aged 80
- Dubbed Adnan Al-Sharqi, the former striker, coach and manager of celebrated Al-Ansar Sporting Club, lost his battle with cancer
- Al-Sharqi was a phenomenal manager who achieved an unparalleled benchmark by having Ansar register their name in Guinness World Record
Real Sociedad edge rivals Athletic to reach Copa del Rey final
- Real Sociedad have now not lost in their last 10 derby clashes at home against Athletic, whom they beat in the 2020 final, and rarely looked like letting their advantage slip
SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain: Mikel Oyarzabal slotted home a late penalty to fire Real Sociedad into the Copa del Rey final with a 1-0 win over Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, securing a 2-0 aggregate semifinal triumph.
American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has turned La Real’s fortunes around since arriving in December and his side will face Atletico Madrid in the Seville final on April 18, after they ousted Barcelona.
Already holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg at Athletic’s San Mames, Real Sociedad produced a sturdy display at the Reale Arena to knock out the 24-time winners.
“Very proud of what the boys have done, over the past two months, it’s pretty amazing,” said Matarazzo.
“Our first match was on the fourth of January... and we just reached the cup final.
“The football we’re playing is effective and we want to continue... we’re in the final and we want to win it.”
Real Sociedad have now not lost in their last 10 derby clashes at home against Athletic, whom they beat in the 2020 final, and rarely looked like letting their advantage slip.
“I think having the one goal advantage helped, we managed the tempo well,” Real Sociedad defender Jon Martin told Movistar.
“We didn’t want a lot to happen, and we did well.”
La Real had the better of a tense first half, with Carlos Soler coming closest. The midfielder’s free-kick, flying toward the top corner, was tipped over by Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla.
Matarazzo’s team had more of the ball and forced the visitors back, albeit without carving out many more openings.
Athletic defender Aitor Paredes made a last-ditch block to keep former Valencia midfielder Soler at bay, and Goncalo Guedes drilled into the side-netting.
Ernesto Valverde’s side improved in the second half and began to threaten La Real, again without finding a clear sight of goal.
Alejandro Berenguer fizzed a shot wide after Inaki Williams fed him on the edge of the box.
Los Leones were missing dangerous Spanish winger Nico Williams, who is sidelined indefinitely with a groin problem.
Oyarzabal seals it
The match was decided from the penalty spot when Athletic’s Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta grabbed a fistful of Yangel Herrera’s shirt as he tried to jump in the box.
After a VAR review the referee awarded a spot-kick and Spain striker Oyarzabal coolly sent Padilla the wrong way in the 87th minute.
Mikel Vesga might have levelled on the night for Athletic in stoppage time as they pushed forward with urgency but Real Sociedad stopper Unai Marrero saved well with his leg to help book his team’s flight to Andalusia.
“It was a hard-fought game, a Basque derby,” said Valverde.
“We had a clear chance at the end, we could have got back into the game but it wasn’t to be.”
Icelandic striker Orri Oskarsson could have extended La Real’s lead at the death but nodded against the post, although it did not matter in the end.
“It feels terrible, it’s a shame, we wanted to reach that final in Seville, I don’t even know what to say,” Athletic striker Williams told Movistar.
“(For the penalty) there’s that kind of grabbing in every box, every corner, and it’s very difficult (to take).”
