The journey of Lebanon’s under-20 team in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers ended on a bitter note, with a 2-1 defeat against an already qualified South Korean team. This match, played under challenging circumstances, revealed the heart and determination of the young Cedars, highlighted by a late goal from Joseph al-Hajj at the end of the game. Despite this glimmer of hope, the Lebanese never truly managed to turn the tide against a well-drilled and experienced South Korean side.
The AFC U-20 Cup is a football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation, featuring the best under-20 national teams in Asia. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. China will host the next edition in 2025.
A rocky path
The road to the Asian Cup is always fraught with obstacles for modest teams like Lebanon. After a narrow opening loss to the United Arab Emirates (2-3), the Lebanese showed resilience by crushing the Northern Mariana Islands with an impressive 8-0 victory. However, this triumph was followed by a heavy defeat to Kuwait (3-0), leaving psychological scars on the team.
The loss to South Korea marked the end of the young Cedars’ hopes of qualification in this tournament. The qualification process for the Asian Cup follows a rigorous format where every match matters, and each point lost can mean the difference between qualifying and elimination.
A troubled context
But how can one fully compete on the field when their mind is elsewhere? Most players come from South Lebanon, a region marked by ongoing tensions and Israeli offensives. Playing these matches with the weight of uncertainty and concern for their loved ones makes their performance all the more admirable. Nonetheless, the dreams of these young Lebanese players have been overshadowed by the tragic realities facing their country.
