Saudis stroll past Lebanon into knockouts
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia powered to a 2-0 victory over Lebanon on Saturday, placing the Green Falcons within sight of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16.
The win places Saudi Arabia on top of the Group E standings with six points, and they will seal their place in the knockout stage should North Korea not beat Qatar on Sunday.
Lebanon, defeated 2-0 by Qatar on Matchday One, will have to beat North Korea if they are to have a chance of advancing as one of the four best third-place teams.
In the all-west Asian affair at the Al Maktoum Stadium, Saudi Arabia took control of the match from the start, holding possession and forcing Lebanon to play on the counter-attack.
Saudi Arabia found their breakthrough in the 12th minute when they latched onto a defensive mistake.
The action began with Lebanon’s Joan Oumari’s back pass deflecting off teammate Robert Alexander Melki’s left boot, and the ball landed near Saudi Arabia’s Fahad Almuwalad, who half-volleyed home from close range.
Miodrag Radulovic’s Lebanon were undeterred and had two opportunities but Oumari failed to keep his header down in the 16th minute, while George Felix Melki just missed Hassan Maatouk’s free-kick eight minutes later.
The Cedars returned from the break with a spring in their step and and began pushing the Saudis back, but almost paid a price when Bahbri took a chance from almost 30 yards out which forced ‘keeper Mehdi Khalil into action.
Bahbri, who was a threat against North Korea in their group opener, turned provider in the 67th minute when the Al Shabab midfielder’s cross into the box found a sliding Hussain Almoqahwi who made it 2-0.
In their final group match on Thursday, Saudi Arabia will play Qatar in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium, while Lebanon face a must-win match against North Korea in Sharjah to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
IRAN BOOK BERTH
Iran assured themselves of a spot in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16 on Saturday, as an ultimately convincing 2-0 win over Vietnam also saw them underline their position at the top of Group D.
At a wonderfully atmospheric Al Nahyan Stadium, two goals from Sardar Azmoun ensured the Iranians made it six points from six – an impressive start to a campaign which has now seen the three-time champions of Asia guarantee their progress to the knockout phase along with Iraq who beat Yemen in the group’s later game.
With one round of matches still to come, Vietnam must beat Yemen to stand any chance of sealing their place in the next round as one of the best third-place finishers.
Fresh from a 5-0 defeat of Yemen on Matchday One, Iran enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening moments and it was they who spurned the first genuine opportunity, Vahid Amiri somehow failing to apply a finishing touch at the far post following captain Ashkan Dejagah’s 11th minute corner.
Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lâm then denied Saman Ghoddos with a sprawling save, before the custodian produced another fine stop to repel a fierce Azmoun drive shortly before the half-hour mark.
With Iran on top and Vietnam unable to launch a cohesive attack of their own, the almost inevitable breakthrough came on 38 minutes, Azmoun rising highest to head home a pinpoint Ghoddos cross and send his side into the halftime break holding a crucial, if slender, lead.
Despite their first half woes, Vietnam began the second period brightly, and they could – very possibly should – have drawn level in the 52nd minute when substitute Nguyen Van Toàn’s pass found Nguyen Công Phuong, whose shot from 12 yards was parried to safety by the advancing Alireza Beiranvand.
Moments later, the irrepressible Azmoun forced Van Lâm into another fine save only to see Mehdi Taremi lash the subsequent rebound wide of the target when well placed.
Iran, clearly intent on scoring a second, continued to press, and their patience was duly rewarded on 68 minutes, Azmoun neatly gathering a Mahdi Torabi pass and firing past Van Lâm to extend his side’s advantage and register his third goal of the tournament.
Nguyen Quang Hai curled a late effort narrowly off target, but it mattered little to Iran as they held on to register a record ninth successive AFC Asian Cup group stage victory to further reinforce their title credentials.
Iran are set to complete their group stage fixtures against Iraq with pole position up for grabs - next Wednesday in Dubai. Vietnam are scheduled to face Yemen in Al Ain on the same day.