AsianCup2023 | Group A : Tajikistan 2 - 1 Lebanon

Tajikistan face Lebanon in a showdown here in the Jassim bin Hamad stadium in Doha. The target is clear for both teams currently third and fourth in Group A. They must win today's game if they're to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Tajikistan and Lebanon have one point after both sides lost against host Qatar and drew against China. Either side have scored a goal in their opening two matches. The lineup for Tajikistan head coach Petr Shehgadatis without suspended Amadoni Kamalov after his red card against Qatar. Mabad Shoev takes his place in midfield. For Lebanon there are a couple of changes as Malki returns to the back three while number five Nassar comes into a five-man midfield. First action today sees Lebanon on the attack Hussain Zain with the strike. It's carried away by Rustam Yatimov in goal for Tajikistan. A bright start from Lebanon it's been an open game in the beginning a long ball towards the near post bobbling around still not away it'll come to Martuk and again Yatimov that is near post good position from the goalkeeper managing to recover quickly and then after the half hour mark goalkeeper Mustafa Matar coming off his line but the ball's quickly recycled it's with Mabad Shoev he tries from distance and it's off the woodwork and that's the closest we've come to the breakthrough unusual situation there the goalkeeper was well out of his goal with all the goal to aim for crossbar coming to the rescue of Lebanon and then shortly before half time a quick counter by Lebanon Girardi free on the right hand side chance to take on his man get the shot away it's a powerful effort but it's just too central to beat the goalkeeper a big chance for Lebanon to take the lead just before the break and into the second half it's Lebanon again coming down that far side always with Girardi and he finds the corner with outrageous effort Basel Girardi just his third international goal and what a time to score and is this the goal that will put Lebanon through to the next round had too much whip on it leaves Rustam Yatimov with absolutely no chance and then moments later from joy to despair shortly after scoring the turning point Kasim Elzein with a clumsy high challenge in the center of the park and the referee given no choice but to produce the red card and Lebanon down to 10 men and then Tajikistan with a free kick whipped over the post and it's into the back of the net Umar Bayev it's up and over for Umar Bayev it's the goal that their efforts have deserved and it's their first ever goal in the Asian Cup and as it stands it's Tajikistan who are going through to the next round and into the second minute of 16 Tajikistan coming forwards looking for the winner looped over and it's in absolute scenes Tajikistan take the lead in stoppage time it's a brilliant delivery but the substitute striker still had so much to do and it loops high and over the goalkeeper into the top left-hand corner Lebanon now with the final chance of the game balls pumped forwards he scuffs the golden chance just past the post broke nicely for him but it's Tajikistan that become just the fourth team in the 21st century to get past the group stage in their debut season credit to them they've shown great attacking football since the start of the tournament it's heartbreak for Lebanon who had it in their hands but they've let it slip it's Tajikistan that make it through with four points as they finish in second place behind Qatar and Lebanon finish bottom of the group with just one point