Lebanon at the AFC Asian Cup

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Lebanon during the 2019 Asian Cup match against Saudi Arabia Lebanon vs Saudi Arabia 20191201 08.jpg
Lebanon during the 2019 Asian Cup match against Saudi Arabia

Lebanon have participated three times at the AFC Asian Cup. Their first participation came in 2000, when they hosted the tournament after healing from the Lebanese Civil War. [1] The 2019 edition was Lebanon's first participation via qualification. [2] Lebanon's most recent appearance was at the 2023 edition. [3]

Contents

Historically, Lebanon was considered one of the weakest Asian teams in football, proven by qualification results and lack of participation in the tournament. [4] Also, prior to the 2019 Asian Cup, they were the only Arab country, alongside Yemen, not to qualify to the Asian Cup through regular qualification. From the late 2010s, Lebanon's results improved. After having reached the final round of qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the team maintained a 15-game unbeaten streak from 2016 to 2018, [5] [6] and qualified for the 2019 Asian Cup undefeated in the third round of qualifications. [7]

Lebanon have never qualified past the group stage in the Asian Cup, with them narrowly missing out on the knock-out stage in 2019 due to the fair play rule; [8] the eliminations in 2000 and 2019 involved teams from Southeast Asia, respectively Thailand and Vietnam. [8] [9]

AFC Asian Cup record

Lebanon were unable to qualify past the first round in their three appearances at the AFC Asian Cup. After a 4–0 defeat to Iran in 2000, Abbas Chahrour scored Lebanon's first goal of the tournament against Iraq in a 2–2 draw. In 2019, after losing against Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Lebanon achieved their first Asian Cup win against North Korea (4–1). However, they missed out on the round of 16 as, in the third-place ranking, Vietnam had accumulated less yellow-cards than Lebanon. [8] The 2023 edition was Lebanon's worst to date, only managing a draw against China and defeats against Tajikistan and hosts Qatar, finishing in last place in their group. [10]

2000 AFC Asian Cup

In 2000, Lebanon hosted the Asian Cup despite concerns by FIFA regarding the stadiums' conditions. [1] Under coach Josip Skoblar, [11] Lebanon, captained by Jamal Taha, [12] were drawn into Group A alongside Iran, Iraq and Thailand; they finished last in the group with only two points; had Lebanon defeated Thailand in the final game, they would have qualified for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. [9]

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 321061+57Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg  Iraq 311143+14
3Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 302124−22
4Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon (H)302137−42
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg0–4Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report Bagheri Soccerball shade.svg19'
Estili Soccerball shade.svg75', 87'
Daei Soccerball shade.svg90+1'
Sports City Stadium, Beirut
Attendance: 52,418
Referee: Lu Jun (China)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg2–2Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg  Iraq
Chahrour Soccerball shade.svg28'
Hojeij Soccerball shade.svg76'		 Report Jeayer Soccerball shade.svg5', 22'
Sports City Stadium, Beirut
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Kim Young-Joo (South Korea)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg1–1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Fernandes Soccerball shade.svg83' Report Sakesan Soccerball shade.svg58'
Sports City Stadium, Beirut
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Lu Jun (China)

2019 AFC Asian Cup

On 9 January 2019, Lebanon played their first game against Qatar. In the 37th minute of play, Ali Hamam scored a goal for Lebanon only for it to be disallowed for a dubious foul on a Qatari player. [13] [14] In the second half, two goals by the opposition without reply gave them all three points from the encounter. [15] Three days later, Lebanon lost to Saudi Arabia 2–0, sentencing Lebanon to their second defeat in the tournament. [16] In the final group stage game, played on 17 January against North Korea, Lebanon won their first Asian Cup game 4–1 with goals by Felix Michel Melki, Hassan Maatouk and a brace by Hilal El-Helwe. However, this wasn't enough to qualify Lebanon to the knock-out stages, as they lost out to Vietnam in the third-place ranking on the fairplay rule. [8]

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 3300100+109Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 320162+46
3Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 310245−13
4Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 3003114−130
Source: AFC
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg 2–0 Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Attendance: 7,847
Referee: Ma Ning (China PR)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg 0–2 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
Attendance: 13,792
Referee: Ali Sabah (Iraq)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg 4–1 Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah
Attendance: 4,332
Referee: Chris Beath (Australia)

2023 AFC Asian Cup

Lebanon played the opening game of the tournament against hosts Qatar on 12 January 2024, in front of 82,490 spectators at Lusail Stadium. [17] Lebanon suffered a 3–0 defeat against the host nation. [17] A subsequent goalless draw with China left Lebanon needing a victory in the final match against Tajikistan to progress. [18] Bassel Jradi of Lebanon secured an early lead in the second half, but the momentum shifted when Kassem El Zein received a red card in the 52nd minute, reducing Lebanon to 10 players. [10] Tajikistan scored twice late in the game, eliminating Lebanon from the competition. [19] Lebanon finished last in their group with only one point. [10]

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar (H)330050+59Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 31112204
3Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 302101−12
4Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 301215−41
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg 3–0 Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Lusail Stadium, Lusail
Attendance: 82,490
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg 0–0 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 14,137
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
Tajikistan  Flag of Tajikistan.svg 2–1 Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Al Rayyan
Attendance: 11,843
Referee: Mohanad Qasim Sarray (Iraq)

Overview

Tournaments

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place  

AFC Asian Cup Qualification
YearHostRoundPldWDLGFGASquadPos.PldWDLGFGARef.
1956 to 1968 Did not enterDid not enter—
1972 Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand Did not qualify 2nd of 3, semi-final loss 310247 [20]
1976 State Flag of Iran (1964).svg  Iran WithdrewWithdrew [21]
1980 Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait Did not qualify 3rd of 4 311121 [22]
1984 Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore WithdrewWithdrew [23]
1988 Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Did not enterDid not enter—
1992 Flag of Japan.svg  Japan —
1996 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates Did not qualify 2nd of 3 421176 [24]
2000 Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Group stage302137 Squad Qualified as hosts [25]
2004 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Did not qualify 3rd of 4 611428 [26]
2007 Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 		WithdrewWithdrew [27]
2011 Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Did not qualify Preliminary round win, 4th of 4 8215814 [28]
2015 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 3rd of 4 62221214 [29]
2019 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates Group stage310245 Squad 2nd of 5, 1st of 4 148332610 [30]
2023 Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Group stage301215 Squad 2nd of 5 6312118
2027 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia To be determinedTo be determined
TotalGroup stage9135817—3/18502010207268—

Matches

Player records

Hilal El-Helwe is Lebanon's top scorer and most-capped player in the competition, with two goals in six games. Hilal El Helwe 20191201.jpg
Hilal El-Helwe is Lebanon's top scorer and most-capped player in the competition, with two goals in six games.

Most appearances

RankPlayerMatchesAsian Cups
1 Mohamad Haidar 62019, 2023
Hilal El-Helwe 62019, 2023
Hassan Maatouk 62019, 2023
Robert Alexander Melki 62019, 2023
5 Bassel Jradi 42019, 2023
Kassem El Zein 42019, 2023
718 players32000, 2019, 2023
2517 players22000, 2019, 2023
428 players12000, 2019, 2023

Goalscorers

PlayerGoals 2000 2019 2023
Hilal El-Helwe 22
Abbas Chahrour 11
Luís Fernandes 11
Moussa Hojeij 11
Hassan Maatouk 11
George Felix Melki 11
Bassel Jradi 11
Total8341

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References

  1. 1 2 "Lebanon's Asian odyssey". The Guardian. 15 October 2000. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  2. ↑ "How Lebanon qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup". Socceroos. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  3. ↑ "Historic day for Lebanon". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "Poor stadiums could cost Lebanon Asian Cup 2000". www.dailystar.com.lb. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  5. ↑ MENAFN. "Kuwait edge win over Lebanon to break record unbeaten run". menafn.com. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  6. ↑ "Australia vs Lebanon international friendly preview, teams, Simon Hill analysis". Fox Sports. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  7. ↑ "France, Belgium share first-ever joint FIFA ranking – Daily Trust". Daily Trust. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Group E: Lebanon 4-1 DPR Korea". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  9. 1 2 Stokkermans, Karel. "Asian Nations Cup 2000". RSSSF . Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "Tajikistan 2–1 Lebanon – Highlights". beIN Sports . 22 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  11. ↑ "Lebanon - Squad Asian Cup 2000 Lebanon". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  12. ↑ "JAMAL TAHA". www.abdogedeon.com. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  13. ↑ Levy, Uri. "Asian Cup 2019: Qatar routs Lebanon in dramatic debut". alaraby. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "Qatar vs Lebanon: Chiến thắng nhọc nhằn | Kết quả Asian Cup 2019". Thể thao 247 (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  15. ↑ "Group E: Qatar 2-0 Lebanon". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  16. ↑ "Group E: Lebanon 0-2 Saudi Arabia". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  17. 1 2 McKirdy, Andrew (13 January 2024). "Qatar puts World Cup heartache behind it to win Asian Cup opener". The Japan Times . Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  18. ↑ "China and Lebanon settle for 0–0 draw to leave Asian Cup progress in the balance". The New Arab . 18 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "China and Lebanon settle for 0–0 draw to leave Asian Cup progress in the balance". The New Arab . 18 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  20. ↑ Panahi, Majeed; Veroeveren, Pieter. "Asian Nations Cup 1972". RSSSF . Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  21. ↑ Jovanovic, Bojan; Panahi, Majeed; Zarei, Asghar; Veroeveren, Pieter. "Asian Nations Cup 1976". RSSSF . Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  22. ↑ Morrison, Neil; Jovanovic, Bojan; Panahi, Majeed; Veroeveren, Pieter. "Asian Nations Cup 1980". RSSSF . Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  23. ↑ Morrison, Neil; Panahi, Majeed; Veroeveren, Pieter. "Asian Nations Cup 1984". RSSSF . Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  24. ↑ Stokkermans, Karel. "Asian Nations Cup 1996". RSSSF . Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  25. ↑ Stokkermans, Karel. "Asian Nations Cup 2000". RSSSF . Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  26. ↑ Burkert, Sturmius; Cowlam, Glenn; Díaz Rubio, Julián; Hashim, Refel; Lee, Seungsoo; Naveed, Malik Riaz Hai; Saaid, Hamdan. "Asian Nations Cup 2004". RSSSF . Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  27. ↑ Zlotkowski, Andre; Naveed, Malik Riaz Hai. "Asian Nations Cup 2007". RSSSF . Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  28. ↑ King, Ian; Di Maggio, Roberto. "Asian Nations Cup 2011". RSSSF . Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  29. ↑ Di Maggio, Roberto; Zlotkowski, Andre. "Asian Nations Cup 2015". RSSSF . Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  30. ↑ Di Maggio, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Asian Nations Cup 2019". RSSSF . Retrieved 23 March 2020.
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