Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saida Lebanon equalised with two minutes of their final 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifier remaining as the Cedars were held to a 1-1 drew with Myanmar on Tuesday to finish second in Group G.
Germany-born Hilal El Helwe earned Lebanon a share of the spoils when his 88th-minute header cancelled out a 73rd-minute opener from Aung Thu in a dramatic conclusion to the match at the Saida Municipal Stadium that saw both sides end with ten men.
The first clearcut chance of a goalless first half came the way of the hosts when former USA U-20 international Soony Saad sent an 11th minute header just over the crossbar before Hassan Maatouk’s headed effort on the half-hour mark went inches past the post following a cross from the right via Mohamed Zein Tahan, who picked up the game’s first yellow card in the 18th minute.
The Cedars continued to dominate after the interval and five minutes into the second half Maatouk was again denied his third of the joint-qualifiers when a brave defensive block diverted the Fujairah forward’s goal-bound strike out for a corner.
Lebanon were left to rue their missed chances when Myanmar broke the deadlock when Muang Muang Lwin played the ball through to Aung Thu, who beat Lebanon keeper Mehdi Khalil from close range with 27 minutes left to play.
The duo, who were team-mates at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup when Myanmar took part in the finals of a FIFA tournament for the first time, almost combined to double the advantage in the 81st minute only for Muang Muang Lwin to hit the side netting after being set up by Aung Thu,
And this time it was Myanmar who would pay for their profligacy when VfL Wolfsburg 2 winger El Helwe headed home an 88th minute equaliser, just two minutes after Myanmar were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Hein Thiha Zaw.
But the drama wasn’t over and in the six minutes of stoppage time Lebanon had defender Joan Oumari sent off for violent conduct; a free-kick strike the woodwork; and appeals for a late penalty waved away before the match ended with the spoils shared.
The point saw Lebanon end their campaign with 11 points, ten behind Group G winners Korea Republic, while the draw takes Myanmar’s tally eight.
Eight group winners will advance to the third round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, as well as straight to the 2019 Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates, along with the four best runners-up.
The other four runners-up will progress to the third round of qualifying for the Asian Cup, along with all the third-placed teams and the four best fourth-placed teams.
The remaining sides, which will include Bangladesh, will have to negotiate past two rounds of playoffs for one of the final eight spots in the Asian Cup third qualifying round.