- 19
- Nov.
- 2024
In a context of war severely affecting the country, the Lebanese national football team managed to rise up and secure a 3-2 victory against Myanmar in an international friendly match played on Tuesday at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.
Despite an extremely unfavorable context, marked by a deadly war ravaging the country, the Lebanese national football team secured an impressive 3-2 victory on Tuesday against Myanmar in an international friendly match played at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon. This success is part of the Cedars' preparation for the continuation of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, which will begin next March.
Newcomers Sami Merhej and Malek Fakhro were the key contributors to this precious victory.
Fakhro, who plays for the German club Duisburg, and Merhej, a player for Deportivo Pereira in Colombia, played their second international match with Lebanon. Fakhro had already been part of the starting lineup against Thailand last Thursday, while Merhej had come on as a substitute in the last eight minutes of that match. This time, both expatriates left their mark: Fakhro opened the scoring in the 37th minute, and Merhej found the back of the net just seconds after coming on in the 74th minute, before scoring the winning goal ten minutes later.
Montenegrin coach Miodrag Radulović made six changes to his starting lineup compared to the match against Thailand, opting for a resolutely offensive approach. Omar Chabaan "Bugiel" was aligned alongside Fakhro and newcomer Hussein Chakroun in a three-man attack.
Match highlights
Despite early offensive pressure from the hosts, Fakhro was the first to threaten the opposing goal with a shot off a cross from Daniel Lahoud, which was well saved by goalkeeper Pyae Thaw (15'). In the 37th minute, off a pass from Bugiel, Fakhro fired a powerful shot to give Lebanon the lead.
Myanmar equalized through a free kick from Thiha Zaw (42'), and took the lead in the second half from a corner taken by captain Mg Lwin, poorly defended by the Lebanese defense and goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil (57').
Lebanon responded with two dangerous chances, including a shot from Chakroun (59') and a saved attempt from Bugiel (68'). Merhej's entry in the 74th minute changed the game: at just 17 years old, he scored with his first touch of the ball, a precise header following an acrobatic scissor kick from Karim Darwich. Ten minutes later, he scored the winning goal by smartly finishing off a cross from the right side.
Lebanon could have extended their lead with a breakthrough from Majed Osman (79') or a shot from Hussein Zein in the final seconds, but both attempts were saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
Merhej: strengthening our confidence
After the match, a visibly moved Sami Merhej said, "We started the match well, but we lost a bit of concentration, which made us concede goals. The coach decided to bring me in, and I think I met his expectations. This is what we are working on: continuing to win and strengthen our confidence."
He added, "I dedicate this victory to the Lebanese people, who are suffering immensely right now. Scoring my first two goals with this shirt is a huge honor, and I am proud to represent my country. I am convinced that this is just the beginning, and I will score even more for the team."
‘I will score again for my beautiful country.’
Tonight's victory was much more than a sporting performance. Driven by the goals of Merhej and Fakhro, the Cedars reminded the world that the spirit of resilience and unity remains, even in the darkest times. As Merhej concluded, "I will score again for my beautiful country," a message of hope and determination that resonates even deeper in today's Lebanon, a country at war, but still standing.
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