The Saudi team defeats Lebanon and qualifies for the second round of the Asian Cup

Saudi Arabia booked its place in the second round of the Asian Cup after a convincing 2-0 win over Lebanon at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on Saturday to win its second consecutive victory in the continental competition. Fahd Al-Muallad tuned 12 minutes later to the Saudi team, taking advantage of a mistake by Lebanese defender George Malchi. Defender Hussein Al-Mekhoi's midfielder doubled the score in the 67th minute.

Thanks to this result, Saudi Arabia has won two consecutive victories at the start of its Asian Cup debut for the first time since 1996, when it finally won the UAE title. She also kept her own net in two consecutive contests for the first time since the 2000 edition in Lebanon.

The Saudi team, three-time champion, increased their lead to six points in Group E, while Lebanon remained in last place after their second consecutive defeat.

Qatar, which has three points after beating Lebanon in its opening match, will face North Korea in the group's other Sunday match at Al Ain.

Saudi coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has changed his team due to the absence of left-back Ybader Al Shahrani after a 4-0 win over North Korea, under the leadership of Hamdan Al- Shamrani.

For his part, coach Miodrag Radolovic has promised to bring "two or three changes" to the team that was bowed to Qatar last week and which involved defender Qbadim Al Zain and midfielder Mohammed Haidar at the expense of Walid Ismael and Basel Jaradi.

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As could be expected, Saudi Arabia held the ball for most of the match and did not show up at any time threatened Lebanon, which was lacking offensive solutions and n & # 39; Did not hit the ball within the goal before 90 minutes.

Saudi Arabia advanced from its first chance in the match when defender Malaki kicked the ball down, which shot a powerful shot from the right foot from inside the penalty area in goal.

The Lebanese team had a serious chance of drawing a draw, but defender Joan Omri's head was a bit too wide after Mohamed Haidar's cross in the 15th minute.

Royal failed to reach the ball and was indifferent after a long free kick pbad in the 24th minute, the last serious appearance of the Lebanese team in the penalty area, Saudi Arabia, in the match.

Saudi Arabia continued to dominate in the second half and doubled their lead in the 67th minute when brilliant forward Hattan Bahbury, who opened the net against North Korea, fired a center from the center of the surface to repair. In front of Robert Malki.