Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuwait City: Lebanon went top of Group A after the opening day of matches in the qualifying competition for the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship following a 4-2 defeat of Bhutan on Saturday.
Lebanon scored twice in the first half through goals from Ali Kharoubi and Amin Al Debek in the 11th and 32nd minutes respectively and repeated the feat after the interval with Amir Abou Fakher making it 3-0 eight minutes into the second period before substitute Ralf Khayat, a 67th replacement for Mohamad Awada Nassereddine, netted number four with quarter-of-an-hour remaining.
Samten Norbu reduced the deficit on the stroke of full time before Ngawang Tshering’s successfully converted stoppage-time penalty – which saw the sending off of Lebanon defender Mohamad Hamdar – gave the score line a more flattering perspective for the boys from the Himalayan kingdom.
With India and Tajikistan sharing a 1-1 draw in the day’s earlier match at the Ali Sabah Al Salem Stadium, Lebanon can open up a healthy lead at the top of the table if they can get a positive result when they face Group A hosts Kuwait on Monday.
The winners of the ten qualifying groups and the best five runners-up will join hosts Thailand in the finals of the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship.