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AFC Asian Qualifiers
The Cedars went within minutes of pulling off a major upset against group leaders Islamic Republic of Iran last Thursday, but goals from Sardar Azmoun and Ahmad Noorollahi cancelled out Soony Saad’s opener as Team Melli snatched a crucial 2-1 win in the dying moments of the game.
While victory would have greatly boosted Lebanon’s bid for a top two finish – and with it, direct access to next year’s FIFA World Cup - Ivan Hašek’s players remain in pole position in the race for a playoff position, and their hopes can be further boosted by success against a UAE side still searching for their first win in the Final Round.
In a group which has produced seven wins in 15 matches Lebanon’s tally of five points from five outings puts them one ahead of Iraq and two clear of UAE, while last placed Syria are three points adrift of their neighbours.
Coupled with the widening gap to runaway leaders Iran and Korea Republic, the logjam of Group A’s bottom four makes every direct meeting between the West Asian quartet a virtual six-pointer, and while Lebanon will enjoy playing at home for the second successive match on Tuesday, there is no clear favourite.
As in all five of their matches in the Final Round so far, Lebanon had less possession and less shots at goal when they met UAE in a goalless Matchday One clash in Dubai just over two months ago, and they managed a meagre 29 percent of possession against Iran on Thursday.
But while the Cedars have recently been efficient in the final third, scoring four goals from 10 attempts in their last two matches, the Emiratis have found the net only three times from a total of 40 shots at goal in their five Group A outings.
Despite boasting an impressive list of attacking options on paper and piling on 23 goals in eight matches in the Second Round of Asian Qualifiers, only two men have found the net for the UAE in the Final Round, with Ali Mabkhout scoring twice and Caio netting once.
They’ll face the added hurdle of having travelled to Saida from Korea Republic since last Thursday, which marked the first time in over two years they had played outside the Gulf.
Bert van Marwijk’s side fell 1-0 to the Koreans, but the result belied a largely dominant performance from Paulo Bento’s men, who hit the woodwork no less than three times on a night where the margin could have been far greater.
#AsianQualifiers - Group A | Korea Republic 1 - 0 United Arab Emirates
The Emiratis will also be tested by the absence of veteran defender Walid Abbas, who faces a one match suspension after picking up a yellow card after the final whistle on Thursday, but they may take heart from their impressive record against Lebanon.
Their 13 matches against the Cedars have seen them taste defeat only once, with Lebanon’s sole victory coming in a World Cup qualifier in Beirut a decade ago.
Lebanon v United Arab Emirates
Venue: Saida Municipal Stadium, Saida
Kick-off: 14:00 hours (UTC+2)
*Poll ends at 19:00 hours (UTC+8) on November 16.
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