The only goal in the game came in the first minute of stoppage time thanks to a powerful free kick from Ziad Chaabo who secured the three points for his side to top the group after the first round of matches.

Lebanon had a quick start for the match as they nearly opened the scoring after only three minutes with a powerful free kick from Faissal Antar which was cleared into a corner by the Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous.

However, the Syrian team started to get into the game gradually and they had their first chance in the game in the 17th minute after a cross from the right flank which was followed by Ziad Chabou by a header but Lebanon goalkeeper Ziad Al Samad saved the ball.

Lebanon had their best chance in the game in the 32nd minute after a corner from Abbas Khalife which was followed by Mohammed Ghaddar with a powerful header but the Syrian defender Aatef Jenniat cleared the ball of the goal line.

In the 37th minute, Jenniat nearly gave the lead for his side after a cross from the left side from Bakri Tarrab but Jenniat followed the ball with a first time volley near the left upright.

As both sides seemed to finish the first half with a scoreless draw, Ziad Chaabo fired a long range missile from a free kick which went directly to the low left corner of Ziad Al Samad in Lebanon goal in the first minute of stoppage time to give Syria a 1-0 lead by the end of the first half.

Lebanon tried their best to level the scores in the second half and they nearly did so in the 68th minute when Paul Rustom direct follow was saved by the Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous.

Lebanon had another chance in the 82nd minute when second half substitute Mahmoud Al Ali sent a first time volley from inside the area but Mosab Balhous cleared the ball to a corner to preserve the win for Syria.

Persian Football