- 26
- Mar
- 2024
Lebanon Suffers Heavy Defeat Against Australia
modified on 11 Apr. 2024 à 15:56 Read : 4 minute(s) A A A
The Lebanese national football team suffered another crushing defeat at the hands of Australia on Tuesday, losing 5-0 at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Australia's capital, in front of a capacity crowd of 25,023 Lebanese and Australian fans.
It should be noted that this match should have been played in Lebanon and not in Australia. However, due to mismanagement by the Lebanese Football Association, it was once again held on Australian soil after the Sydney match last Thursday. This is because no pitch in Lebanon meets FIFA criteria, making Lebanon the only country in the world unable to play a match on its own pitch.
Starting XI
Lebanon started the game with a 5-4-1 formation, relying on Moustafa Matar in goal. In defense, Nassar Nassar, Khalil Khamis, Walid Shour, Sharafeddine, and Hussein Chaito form a strong back line. In midfield, Ali Tneich and Nader Matar join captain Hassan Maatouk and Bassel Jradi on the wings, while in attack, Omar Bugiel is the lone striker.
Despite his limited playing time and previous fine performances, Daniel Lahoud is still unable to establish himself in Radulović's starting XI.
Australia Dominates Against an Outmatched Lebanese Team
As early as the 2nd minute, Australia opened the scoring with a magnificent cross from Goodwin to Yengi, who just had to push the ball into the back of the net past Matar. Jradi and Maatouk then joined Bugiel in attack, changing the tactical scheme to an audacious 5-2-3. A fine attacking move in the 13th minute between Bugiel, Maatouk, and Nader Matar unfortunately ended with a shot off target.
From the 12th minute onwards, Lebanon regained control of the game, making life difficult for the Australians. Matar pulled off a superb save in the 20th minute to prevent a second goal. However, an unintentional pass from Ali Tneich to Goodwin in the 23rd minute gave Australia another chance.
The Aussie attack proved dangerous in the 43rd minute, with a header hitting the post after a well-executed corner by Goodwin.
Daniel Lahoud was called into action at halftime, but his initial impact was marred by a yellow card received within seconds of his presence on the pitch. The free-kick awarded to Australia turned into a goal, marking the start of a black streak for the Lebanese team.
In a worrying sequence, Australia managed to double their lead just one minute after the initial goal, taking the score to 3-0 in the 48th minute. Lebanon conceded two goals in a very short space of time, highlighting the team's difficulties on the pitch.
Despite a few flashes of hope, notably with a fine move initiated by Lahoud, which led to Nader Matar's powerful shot being saved by the crossbar, the Lebanese team failed to reverse the trend. The entry of Patrick Yazbek, originally from Lebanon but choosing to play for Australia, added a special dimension to the match, with his participation in his homeland's defeat by providing the decisive assist in the 67th minute to bring the score up to 4-0.
Radulović Opts for the Offensive, But to No Avail
Coach Radulović tried to energize the team by opting for a more attacking game with the replacements of Maatouk and Tneich by Bitar and Darwich, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide. The Socceroos dominated the match, scoring five goals from seven chances, demonstrating their physical and tactical superiority.
The match ended with an 81st-minute goal from Goodwin, who was involved in every Socceroos goal. His goal came after an irresistible cross that the Lebanese defenders failed to deal with.
The Australian team stood out for their physical and tactical clarity throughout the match, highlighting their superiority on the pitch.
Jackson Khoury made his debut for the Lebanese national team, replacing Bassel Jradi in the 86th minute.
Unfortunately, the match ended with a very poor showing from the Lebanese team, who continue their run of six games without a win. This performance raises questions about the team's future and calls for urgent reform of the federation to improve the situation. It's time to put an end to political intervention and corruption in player selection, and to find solutions for adequate facilities for home matches.
Playing in Lebanon wouldn't necessarily have been synonymous with victory for the Cedars, but at least they wouldn't have had to make a long plane journey with the fatigue that accompanies this kind of trip, and perhaps with the support of the public, the result would have been different. Speculation, no doubt, but the Federation needs to review its (narrow) calculations.
The next matches against Palestine and Bangladesh on June 6 and 11 will be crucial to Lebanon's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
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