Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beirut: Lebanese cup winners Salam Zgharta eased to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Tajikistan champions FC Khayr in the AFC Cup Play-offs at the Salam Zgharta Stadium on Tuesday to secure a place in Group A.
Salam went in front midway through the first half through Ahmad El Khatib’s powerful drive from inside the penalty area before doubling their lead shortly after the interval when Argentinean Lucas Galan fired past FC Khayr goalkeeper Anatolii Starushchenko.
With three minutes to go substitute Alex Boutros killed the game off to send Salam through to Group A of the AFC Cup, where they will meet Al Wehdat, Al Nahda and Al Wahda, the champions of Jordan, Oman and Syria respectively.
Salam dominated their opponents in the opening stages and took a deserved lead in the 23rd minute when a free-kick from Syrian midfielder Taha Dyab caused confusion inside the visitors’ penalty area and the ball fell to El Khatib, whose deflected shot found the back of the net.
The hosts started the second half as they did the first and doubled their advantage in the 48th minute when Galan received the ball outside of the penalty area before bursting into the area and firing a left-footed effort to the right of goalkeeper Starushchenko to effectively finish the game as a contest.
Although the home fans were sensing an onslaught, the Tajikistan side were able to keep the score down until the 87th minute, when striker Boustros, on as a substitute on the hour mark, got on the end of misplaced defensive clearance to fire a first-time effort past the helpless Starushchenko.
Salam will now travel to the Jordanian capital Amman to face Al Wehdat in their Group A opener next Tuesday.