AFC Asian Cup - Qatar 2 Lebanon 0 - Match Report
Bassam Al-Rawi scores a stunning free-kick as Qatar defeat Lebanon 2-0
Mitch Freeley
Qatar put in a composed second-half performance to defeat Lebanon 2-0 in their opening game of the Asian Cup on Wednesday evening. The 2022 World Cup hosts survived a scare in the first half as Lebanon had an Ali Hamam goal ruled out before second-half goals including a fine free-kick from defender Bassam Al-Rawi handed Qatar all three points.
Al Anabi looked nervous in the opening exchanges despite holding onto the ball. Passes from midfield failed to stick to Almoez Ali who looked isolated in attack. Lebanon looked to take advantage with captain Hassan Maatouk causing plenty of trouble down the right wing.
Lebanon was playing in their first Asian Cup game since 2000, and their first Asian Cup game on foreign soil, grew in confidence as the half progressed getting plenty of space on the right wing. Qatar held their own yet fail to trouble the Cedars in the final third, the closest they came was when Hassan Haydoos smashed a freekick against the wall.
With ten minutes left in the first half, Lebanon thought they took the lead. Maatouk swung in a corner which fell to Ali Hamam who swept the ball past Saad Al Sheeb, although the goal was ruled out for a foul on Tarek Salman. Qatar looked rattled and Lebanon tried to push their advantage in the closing stages of the half. The lively Maatouk blazed an effort over the bar from close range on the cusp of half-time.
Qatar returned in the second half composed and began to impose their passing game on their opponents. Still, Lebanon threatened from set pieces and with Maatouk on corner duty, they caused Qatar with plenty of problems.
On the 56th minute, Sanchez swapped Karim Boudiaf for Abdulaziz Hatem and the tactical change paid dividends as Felix Sanchez’s charges began to boss possession.
Eventually, Qatar made the breakthrough in spectacular fashion on the 65th minute. Boualem Khoukhi struck a long-range free-kick which saw Hassan Maatouk handed a yellow card for handling the ball in the wall. From the resulting free-kick Bassam Al-Rawi smashed the ball past Mehdi Khalil to give the Maroons the lead. Scoring the first goal for his country in the process.
The opening goal breathed life into the side who had looked shaken in the first half. Slowly the young side began to confidently keep the ball against their opponents. Lebanon looked disjointed and failed to create any clearcut chances in the second half. With their opponents tiring both Akram Afif and substitute Abdulkarim Hassan began to find space on the left wing.
Almoez Ali doubled Qatar’s advantage with ten minutes to go. Akram Afif pushed into the box and found Abdulaziz Hatem, the snapshot from the midfielder was parried into the path of 22-year old Ali who made no mistake from close range.
It could have been more for the Maroons with the game heading into the final minutes with Ali missing an opportunity to double his tally from a drilled cross from Abdulkarim Hassan, whilst substitute Mohammed Alaaeldin spurned a chance one on one with the keeper.
Regardless Sanchez will be pleased at how his young side responded in the second half, and how tactical tweaks proved to be decisive in the contest. Now attention will turn to the challenge of North Korea on Sunday.
Live Updates
Goal! Almoez Ali makes no mistake from close range! Qatar go 2-0 up!
Goal! Bassam Al-Rawi fires Qatar into the lead with a finely struck free-kick!
Goal! Oh wait, No! Lebanon's goal is chalked off after a foul on Tarek Salman
The teams are out! Minutes away from Kick-Off!
Preamble
The pressure is on both sides to get the result! Who do you think will win tonight?
Both managers fancy their chances in tonight's final #AsianCup match! Don't miss 🇶🇦 #Qatar vs 🇱🇧 #Lebanon on our 📺 channels in 30 mins.#AsianCup2019 #beINAFC pic.twitter.com/qpuRJ6MPRd — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 9, 2019
Fancy a little throwback? Why not! We are 30 minutes away from game time in Al Ain!
🎞️ FLASHBACK: Fans at the 1988 @afcasiancup in Qatar
Adel Khamis, Mansour Muftah and Khalid Salman all scored two goals apiece but #Qatar could only finish third in their five-team group.
(via @Qadeem_Qtr on Instagram) #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/bj279dd1X1 — QFootLive (@QFootLive) January 8, 2019
Qatar have arrived! They seem pretty relaxed ahead of the game!
صور | وصول لاعبين منتخبنا الى أرضية الملعب. #قطر_لبنان #كأس_اسيا_2019 pic.twitter.com/lT95BSYeDH — الإتحاد القطري لكرة القدم 🇶🇦 (@QFA) January 9, 2019
We have Team News! No AFC Player of the year Abdulkarim Hassan for Qatar, he is on the bench! Abdulkarim Al-Ali gets the nod at left-back! Keep an eye out for Almoez Ali in attack. He has impressed in recent friendlies! As for Lebanon, watch out for Hassan Maatouk the tricky winger has enjoyed club spells in the UAE!
📝 Starting XIs for both teams: 🇶🇦 Qatar 🆚 Lebanon 🇱🇧
A fine display from Saudi Arabia's men yesterday put both sides under pressure to snatch all three points. #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/Y06651E51e — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 9, 2019
The Qatar dressing is looking impressive! We should be getting team news any minute now...
غرفة تغيير ملابس لاعبي منتخبنا الوطني 🇶🇦#كأس_آسيا2019 #قطر_لبنان
#لأجل_قطر #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/Y56s7KkZvQ — الإتحاد القطري لكرة القدم 🇶🇦 (@QFA) January 9, 2019
Fancy a little scene setter for Group D? Check out our group profile of the action!
A quick reminder, Saudi Arabia opened up Group D and promptly thrashed North Korea 4-0! They are currently sitting pretty at the top of the group!
FULL-TIME | 🇸🇦 KSA 4 - 0 PRK 🇰🇵@bahhbri27, @fateel3, @salem_d29 and @fahad_almowalad earn the Saudi Arabians their first three points of the #AsianCup2019! pic.twitter.com/X2Y1jj5dDc — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 8, 2019
The Cedars are coming! Lebanon is pumped for their first AFC Asian Cup on foreign soil!
1,2,3 #TheCedarsAreComing habibi pic.twitter.com/eWophpgHhh — FALebanon (@FALebanon) January 9, 2019
So here we go! We spoke with Qatar Boss Felix Sanchez ahead of the big game. He's saying that Qatar is confident and that the aim for Qatar is to make it out of the group stage! Do you think Al Anabi can do the business against Lebanon tonight?
Good evening! Welcome to the Live Updates of Qatar Vs Lebanon! It's the start of the four-year cycle for Qatar when they take on Lebanon at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium tonight, which will eventually end with the 2022 World Cup. Can the Maroons get the better of a Lebanon side who are playing at their first Asian Cup outside of their home country? As ever, we will have you covered on the beIN SPORTS website with all the latest build-up, team news and Live coverage of the game including all the goals as they go in!
