AFC U23 Asian Cup
Indonesia finished fourth in the last edition, and Lebanon will aim to be even more impressive after booking their ticket to the Finals with a valiant qualifying campaign.
Factfile
Previous appearances: Nil
How they qualified: 3rd-best runners-up (Group F)
Group C fixtures: v Uzbekistan (Jan 7), v Korea Republic (Jan 10), v IR Iran (Jan 13)
Fun fact: Lebanon qualified for the Finals at the seventh time of trying.
Previous appearances: Nil
How they qualified: 3rd-best runners-up (Group F)
Group C fixtures: v Uzbekistan (Jan 7), v Korea Republic (Jan 10), v IR Iran (Jan 13)
Fun fact: Lebanon qualified for the Finals at the seventh time of trying.
The West Asian side advanced from the Qualifiers as the third-best runners-up, finishing second behind Thailand in Group F after defeating Malaysia and Mongolia and playing out a stalemate with the hosts.
Head coach Jamal Taha’s high-pressing tactics saw midfielder Danny Istambouli, who plays university football in the United States, score two goals against Mongolia in their 3-0 win. Team captain Ali El Fadl, who struck an 84th-minute matchwinner against Malaysia, added to their tally against Mongolia.
Head coach Jamal Taha’s high-pressing tactics saw midfielder Danny Istambouli, who plays university football in the United States, score two goals against Mongolia in their 3-0 win. Team captain Ali El Fadl, who struck an 84th-minute matchwinner against Malaysia, added to their tally against Mongolia.
Lebanese Premier League side Al Ahed FC’s Hasan Farhat also proved instrumental in their winning campaign, claiming a brace in their 2-2 clash with Thailand, who clawed back twice to force the stalemate.
Lebanon will be in for an acid test as they take on 2018 champions Uzbekistan in their first Group C fixture followed by an encounter with 2020 winners Korea Republic.
Their last match is against Islamic Republic of Iran, who will also be eager to impress after failing to make the cut for the 2024 edition.
Lebanon will be in for an acid test as they take on 2018 champions Uzbekistan in their first Group C fixture followed by an encounter with 2020 winners Korea Republic.
Their last match is against Islamic Republic of Iran, who will also be eager to impress after failing to make the cut for the 2024 edition.
