- 09:35
In Al-Wakrah, Lebanon added another dominant performance against Bhutan (4–0), maintaining the lead in Group B of the third qualifying round for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Three goals in twenty minutes sealed the deal early, a fourth came after halftime, and the streak of clean sheets continues to grow.
The mission was clear: make this international window count double. On the pitch of Saud bin Abdulrahman Stadium — officially a “home” venue for Bhutan — Miodrag Radulović’s side set the tempo, just like they did on Thursday (2–0). The result: 10 points at the top of the table, two ahead of Yemen (who beat Brunei), with Brunei at 3 points and Bhutan at 1. Most impressively, it’s the fourth consecutive match without conceding — and the 30th clean sheet in 59 games under the Montenegrin coach’s two terms.
Blazing Start: Three Goals in Twenty Minutes
Lebanon struck early and hard. In the 9th minute, a corner from Mohamad Haidar met the head of Malek Fakhro: 1–0. Eight minutes later, Hussein Chakroun doubled the lead with a crisp shot inside the box after a pass from Samy Merhej. By the 20th, Fakhro set up Mohamad Safwan in the center, and the latter unleashed a powerful strike for 3–0. Before halftime, chances kept coming, continuing the trend from the first leg.
Challenges Managed, Bench Impact Felt
Expected to start, Hussein Zein was ruled out during warm-up (thigh), so Nassar Nassar filled the position. Ali Kassas had to be substituted in the 26th minute (stomach pain) by Khoder Kaddour. The plan stayed on track: compact defense, clean transitions, and consistent attacking volume. Early in the second half, substitute Zein Farran brought new energy up front: in the 50th minute, assisted by Samy Merhej, he slipped through the defense and slotted the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs for 4–0 — his first-ever goal for the national team. The rest was game management, supported by contributions from Majed Osman, Ali Tneich, and Hussein Sharafeddine.
Staying the Course
Control, diverse scorers, and rediscovered efficiency — it was a complete performance, sealing the goal of a “perfect double” over Bhutan. With 10 points and a solid defense, Lebanon remains firmly at the top of its group, edging closer to the 2027 Asian Cup line.
Lebanon’s Lineup:
Mostafa Matar — Nassar Nassar, Khalil Khamis, Walid Shour, Mohamad Safwan (Hussein Sharafeddine 69’) — Ahmad Kheireddine (Ali Tneich 76’), Mohamad Haidar (captain) — Ali Kassas (Khoder Kaddour 26’), Hussein Chakroun (Zein Farran 46’), Malek Fakhro (Majed Osman 76’) — Samy Merhej.
Goals: Fakhro 9’, Chakroun 16’, Mohamad Safwan 20’, Zein Farran 50’.
Stadium: Saud bin Abdulrahman, Al-Wakrah (match officially “home” for Bhutan).
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