Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beirut: Lebanon took a major step closer to the next phase of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a stunning 2-1 win over 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Korea Republic on Tuesday.
With their third round qualifying Group B campaign reinvigorated with a 1-0 win in Kuwait on Friday, Lebanon went into the penultimate fixture in buoyant mood and Ali Al Saadi gave the home side the perfect start as the Safa defender opened the scoring just five minutes into the crucial clash at the Beirut Sports City Stadium.
But the lead was not to last long with Koo Ja-cheol, top scorer at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, drawing the Taegeuk Warriors level with a 20th minute penalty.
However, ten minutes later Lebanon were back in front with a penalty of their own as Abbas Atwi held his nerve to successfully convert the 31st minute spot-kick which ultimately sealed the win that saw Theo Bucker's charges go level on ten points with the Koreans.
Lebanon round off their campaign against a UAE side that has nothing but pride left to play for while Korea Republic host Kuwait as the curtain comes down on Group B at the end of February.