Algeria Ligue 1: CR Belouizdad move into top-5

CR Belouizdad have won back-to-back league matches in the Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle after defeating ES Sétif 3-1 on Thursday.

All four goals were scored after the hour mark, with goals from Youcef Laouafi and in form young forward Lofti Boussouar putting CRB out of reach. Akram Djahnit’s 85th penalty kick provided some hope for ESS but substitute forward Mohamed Ben Hammouda restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage in stoppage time.

CR Belouizdad looked a bit more dangerous in an uneventful first half and made their breakthrough in the 63rd minute. Laouafi rose up to produce an excellent header from Houcine Benayada’s cross and the home support erupted in celebration.

An inspired spell of football from the hosts ended with them doubling their lead in the 76th minute through Boussouar. A dangerous attack ended with Abdennour Belhocini’s pass to the young forward, whose excellent finish went into the roof of the net past ESS goalkeeper Zakaria Saidi.

 

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A late exchange of goals left ended with Ben Hammouda’s impressive diving header, and now CRB have established a position in the top-5 on the league table as they continue to make up games in hand on most of the competition. They remain eight points back of league leaders and defending champions MC Alger, however, with plenty left to do for coach Sead Ramovic and his charges.

Action from the Algerian top flight continues on Friday and Saturday, with MC Alger in action on Saturday at Olympique Akbou. CR Belouizdad next travel to face MC Oran on Monday.

Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle Table (Top-8)