For Lebanon, India’s summer started rather badly. One win against modest side Vanuatu (3-1), then three games in a row without scoring a single goal, in other words this campaign in the Intercontinental Cup, punctuated by a loss (2-0) in the final against India, was not a resounding success.

Supposed to restore order to the ranks of the national team, emerging from a period of scarcity that lasted a year and a half without a single win, this unprecedented tour of the subcontinent, by contrast, looked like a fiasco.

This renewed disillusionment also made its first collateral victim, Mazen Qabisi, who resigned last Monday from his post as national election president in the Lebanese Football Federation to “bear responsibility for the recent negative results” as specified in a press release accompanying the news.

But Cedars was fortunate to have the opportunity to quickly move on to another competition: the South Asian Championship (SAFF), the equivalent of the Euros or Africa Cup of Nations in the Indian subcontinent.

Invited along with Kuwait (mainly to compensate for Sri Lanka’s absence, suspended from all competitions for one year by FIFA), Lebanon are in Group B of this eight-team tournament where they will have to face Bangladesh, Bhutan then the Maldives. That is as many Asian countries have appeared below Lebanon (99th) in the FIFA rankings.

New face

Going in, Thursday afternoon against Bangladesh (192nd), Aleksandar Ilić’s men are hoping to get their foot in the ground again. To do this, the Serbian coach has revised most of his copy compared to the last match against India, and this, by implementing no less than seven changes in his initial line-up.

Among the new arrivals, three new selection heads were a nice surprise at kick-off: Mehdi Zein, at right-back, Ali al-Hajj, in midfield and Mohamad Sadek, on the right flank of the attack. . Instead, official captain Hassan Maatouk was dropped to the bench.

Abdul Dakramanji headed the ball. Photo Credit / Lebanese FA

In humid central India, in Bangalore, Cedars, as on their last trip, were slow to start the engine. In their defense, the quality of the yard leaves something to be desired, especially around the penalty area, as potholed as some roads in Lebanon.

Amidst the monotony of this first period, more than chaotic, the only flash came from one of the three young players from the starting eleven, Ali al-Hajj, just before half time. Inheriting a ball that was badly cleared by the Bangladesh defense at the entrance to the area, midfielder al-Ahed eliminated two vis-à-vis on his first hook, before heading towards goal and removing the other two, but his centre-back sadly didn’t. find takers.

Historic record for Maatouk

From the start of the second half, the Lebanese rearguard got a big fright when counter flash, and a miraculous save from goalkeeper Ali Sabaa to prevent Mohammed Fahim gave the “Bengal Tigers” the lead.

Without really regaining control of the game, Cedars took advantage of a huge mistake by Tariq Kazi, the centre-back, who lost the ball in his own half in front of good pressure from Karim Darwiche. Centre-forward Nejmeh found himself alone against the keeper but preferred to save the shot by sliding on the half-time Hassan Maatouk, who followed the action well and was able to prod the ball into an empty net (1-0.79).

A goal that freed his nation but most importantly allowed him to become the only top scorer in the election with 22 feats. In doing so he broke the old record held by Vartan Ghazarian since… 1971.

Thanks to this click, the Lebanese came very close to doubling the stakes quietly through an attack from Khalil Bader which was blocked by the Bangladesh defence. But the Nejmeh striker would make amends moments later by latching on to a low cross from Zein Farran (2-0, 96).

Just enough to leave more room for this generally deserved victory that perfectly launched the Cedars in the competition. They will face Bhutan on Sunday before ending their group stage against Maldives, the concurrent winners of Bhutan (2-0).

In the other group, India beat Pakistan (4-0) while Kuwait dominated Nepal (3-1).