The Lebanese national football team suffered a severe blow at the end of its campaign in the qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup, after losing to its Yemeni counterpart with two goals to none, in the decisive match that was held at the Grand Hamad Stadium in the Qatari capital, Doha, in the presence and remarkable support of the President of the Lebanese Football Association, Hashem Haider, from the stands.
This result gave the Yemeni team the lead in Group Two, one point ahead of the Lebanese team, clinching the final qualification ticket to the continental finals, which will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The first half witnessed an equal performance between the two teams, with clear caution and the play being limited to the midfield, which reduced the dangerous chances for the goalscorers. Lebanon’s most prominent attempt was a powerful shot from captain Mohamed Haider in the 40th minute, which went just over the crossbar.
In the second half, the technical staff of the Lebanese national team, led by Madjid Bougherra, tried to revitalize the offensive line through early substitutions, including bringing in the young man Jimmy Kazan, who played his first international match.
The Lebanese team almost opened the scoring in the 59th minute after a dangerous opportunity reached Leonardo Shaheen, but the Yemeni defense saved the situation, before the Yemeni team took advantage of a defensive error in the 62nd minute through Nasser Muhammadu, who scored the goal.
After the goal, Lebanon intensified its pressure in search of a comeback, but the attempts collided with an organized defence, while Yemen continued to rely on counterattacks, adding the second goal in the last minute through Mohamedou himself, decisively deciding the confrontation.
The match witnessed a prominent presence of the President of the Lebanese Federation, Hashim Haider, in support of the team and clear support for coach Madjid Bougherra in his first official entitlement with the Lebanese national team.
After the meeting, coach Majeed Bougherra indicated that the preference was given to the Yemeni team in terms of determination and focus, explaining that the long hiatus affected the readiness of his players, stressing at the same time that his project with the Lebanese national team actually begins from this stage with the aim of building a team capable of competing in the upcoming matches.
With this loss, the Lebanese national team bid farewell to the qualifiers after needing only a point to guarantee qualification, while the Yemeni national team snatched the ticket to the continental finals, amid great joy for its players and fans.
