AFC Futsal C'ship: Lebanon 8-5 Chinese Taipei

Lebanon had trailed 4-2 at half-time at Phu Tho Stadium with the 2012 quarter-finalists struggling to cope against a young Chinese Taipei side.

But three quickfire goals after the break eventually swung the balance of the game back in Lebanon’s favour, allowing Francisco Araujo’s side to join Thailand as opening day winners in Group C after the 2012 runners-up earlier recorded a 7-1 win over Malaysia.

“It wasn’t an easy match. As you know we started the match very well but it was a disaster after that,” said Lebanon coach Araujo.

“The most important thing for us is that we ended the game with three points.

“I was really upset and really mad at half-time because it is not possible to play with such attitude. What made me mad is that every dual was won by the Chinese Taipei players.

“I told them if they want to win the match they should play at the same level or they will be going out of the tournament.”

Lebanon came out of the blocks quickly and were rewarded when they took the lead in just the second minute through Moustafa Serhan.

It looked as though Serhan had missed the opportunity when he saw his first shot blocked, but he was able to latch onto the rebound and score with his second attempt.

Lebanon were then twice denied by the woodwork in the fifth minute before Liu Chi-Chao missed a golden opportunity to bring the game level after being found open at the back post by Wu Chun-Ching only to put his effort wide with the goal gaping.

That gave Chinese Taipei a lift and they soon found themselves back on level terms seconds later when Chu Chia-Ying caught Lebanon in possession and finished the move after a neat one-two with Liu.

And with the initiative swinging in Chinese Taipei’s favour, they took the lead in the 11th minute from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Hussein Hamadani was judged to have fouled Wu.

Chu Chia-Wei had initially seen his penalty saved by Hamadani, but after the referee ordered the penalty to be re-taken after the goalkeeper had moved from his line, Liu made no mistake with the second attempt.

Lebanon, though, responded in the 17th minute when Kobeissy cleverly chipped the ball over Chang Chien-Ying and Chu to Ali Tneich, who fired a powerful shot past Pan Wen-Chieh.

But Lebanon ended the half poorly and Chinese Taipei found themselves back in front a minute later when Huang Cheng-Tsung outmuscled Hassan Zeiton on the edge of the area and spun to beat Hamadani.

And their lead was doubled a minute before half-time when Lebanon were again caught in possession and Liu squared for Huang to tap home his second of the evening from close range.

But after Araujo’s half-time team talk, Lebanon responded in the second half and soon found themselves back on level terms with two quick strikes in the 23rd minute.

First, Tneich netted his second when he was able to poke home a close range effort before Kobeissy was allowed space to hit an impressive long range strike.

And Lebanon completed the comeback less than 30 seconds later after another long range effort from Kobeissy, this time from close to the sideline.

Chinese Taipei, though, had not given up and pulled the game level for a fourth time when Lo Chih-En blasted a free-kick into the roof of the net on 27 minutes.

But it was less than a minute before Lebanon took the lead again as the ball bounced to Ahmad Kheir El Dine in space and he hit the ball sweetly on the half volley.

And Lebanon put the game out of the reach of Chinese Taipei in the 35th minute through Zeitoun before wrapping up the victory with a minute remaining when Kobeissy secured his hat-trick with a composed finish past Pan and into the top corner.

“This is our first game and the players were under pressure so they did not do very well,” said Chinese Taipei coach Chang Wu-Yeh.

“Unfortunately, our players are all very young and they are not experienced enough."

Lebanon will play Malaysia in their next group game on Saturday, while Chinese Taipei will face Thailand at Phu Tho Stadium.