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In a difficult context marked by the war ravaging the country, the Lebanese football team is seeking to regain its footing and continue its preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

As Lebanon goes through a tragic period of deadly war, the national football team is finishing its international break with a final friendly match against Myanmar this Tuesday at 12:30 PM (Beirut time).

Difficult Context, but Crucial Preparation

This match, which will take place at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, in a 50,000-seat stadium, marks the end of a series of preparatory matches ahead of the upcoming qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup, scheduled to begin in March 2024. Lebanon, which previously held a training camp in Qatar and played a friendly match in Thailand last Friday (which ended in a draw), hopes to achieve victory against Myanmar. This match, which comes at a difficult time for Lebanon, will allow coach Miodrag Radulovic to continue the work which started during the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia two months ago. It will also be an opportunity to continue integrating new players into the team, some of whom have already shown good performances during the match against Thailand.

A Team in Reconstruction

Lebanon, which seeks to renew itself for the Asian Cup qualifiers, will be a transformed team for this match. After the disappointment of the match against Thailand, Radulovic is expected to make several changes to his lineup. Forward Omar Chaaban, nicknamed "Bugiel," who did not participate in the previous match due to accumulated fatigue from a long journey, is likely to return to the squad after resuming normal training. Chaaban, who has been a starter in all of Lebanon's matches in 2023, is expected to bring his offensive energy to the team. However, the probable absence of left-back Mohamed Hayek, injured in his adductors, could weigh on the team. His absence would be a blow for the Lebanese defense which is already seeking stability.

Nevertheless, this match against Myanmar also offers a special opportunity for Montenegrin coach Miodrag Radulovic. It will be his 50^th match at the helm of the Lebanese national team, a symbolic number in his career with Lebanon. Additionally, Radulovic will face an opponent he knows well, having coached Myanmar for six months in 2019 after a successful stint with Lebanon, during which he led them to their first Asian Cup final through qualifying.

Memories of Past Confrontations

Lebanon and Myanmar faced each other several times in the past, notably during the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup. In their first encounter in October 2015, Lebanon won 2-0 thanks to goals from Hassan Maatouk and Abbas Atwi during World Cup qualifying. The return match in March 2016 ended in a 1-1 draw at home, as Lebanon equalized at the very end of the game thanks to a goal from striker Halaal Haloua. These two results allowed Lebanon to finish second in their group behind South Korea and qualify for playoff matches for the Asian Cup.

Symbolic Match in a Difficult Context

This match against Myanmar, although friendly in nature, holds particular importance for Lebanon. In a country devastated by war, every national team match becomes a symbol of resilience and hope. The objective is twofold: to prepare as best as possible for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, and to provide the Lebanese people with a breath of fresh air amid their trials. While victory is not guaranteed, Radulovic's team primarily seeks to strengthen its bonds, test new players, and send a message of solidarity and perseverance to its supporters around the world.