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{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=11|name=[[Ahmad Zreik]]|age={{birth date and age|1990|1|1}}|caps=6|goals=0|clubnat=LIB|club=[[Al Ahed]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=11|name=[[Ahmad Zreik]]|age={{birth date and age|1990|1|1}}|caps=6|goals=0|clubnat=LIB|club=[[Al Ahed]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=12|name=[[Mohammed Shamas]]|age={{birth date and age|1987|2|25}}|caps=8|goals=0|clubnat=LIB|club=[[Nejmeh]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=12|name=[[Mohammed Shamas]]|age={{birth date and age|1987|2|25}}|caps=8|goals=0|clubnat=LIB|club=[[Nejmeh]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=14|name=[[Nader Matar]]|age={{birth date and age|1991|1|20}}|caps=1|goals=0|clubnat=|clubnat=Spain|club=[[ACD Canillas]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=14|name=[[Nader Matar]]|age={{birth date and age|1991|1|20}}|caps=1|goals=0|clubnat=|clubnat=Spain|club=[[CD Canillas]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=15|name=[[Haytham Faour]]|age={{birth date and age|1981|11|17}}|caps=6|goals=0|clubnat=LIB|club=[[Al Ahed]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=15|name=[[Haytham Faour]]|age={{birth date and age|1981|11|17}}|caps=6|goals=0|clubnat=LIB|club=[[Al Ahed]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=20|name=[[Roda Antar]] [[File:Captain sports.svg|12px|Captain]]|age={{birth date and age|1980|9|12}}|caps=32|goals=15|clubnat=China|club=[[Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C.|Shandong Luneng]]}}
{{nat fs g player|pos=MF|no=20|name=[[Roda Antar]] [[File:Captain sports.svg|12px|Captain]]|age={{birth date and age|1980|9|12}}|caps=32|goals=15|clubnat=China|club=[[Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C.|Shandong Luneng]]}}

Revision as of 19:56, 24 January 2012

Lebanon
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Cedars
AssociationFederation Libanaise de Football Association
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationWAFF (West Asia)
Head coachTheo Bücker
CaptainRoda Antar
Top scorer Wartan Ghazarian (19)[1]
Home stadiumCamille Chamoun Sports City Stadium and Saida International Stadium
FIFA codeLIB
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current112
Highest85 (December, 1998)
Lowest178 (April, 2011)
First international
 Mandatory Palestine 5–1 Lebanon Lebanon
(Tel Aviv, Israel; April 27, 1940)
Biggest win
Lebanon Lebanon 11–1 Philippines 
(Tokyo, Japan; September 28, 1967)
Biggest defeat
 Iraq 8–0 Lebanon Lebanon
(Baghdad, Iraq; November 25, 1959)
 Qatar 8–0 Lebanon Lebanon
(Doha, Qatar; March 27, 1985)
Asian Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2000)
Best resultGroup Stage

The Lebanon national football team represents the Republic of Lebanon in international association football. Their official nickname is The Cedars. The team is controlled by the Federation Libanaise de Football Association (FLFA) which is a member of the FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and also the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF).

Lebanon have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup nor to the Olympic Games. Lebanon hosted the 2000 AFC Asian Cup were they were eliminated from the group stage and it was their only participation. Lebanon participated in 4 / 6 times in the West Asian Football Federation Championship, having played at the 2000 tournament in Jordan, the 2002 tournament in Syria, the 2004 tournament in Iran and the 2007 tournament in Jordan with all being knocked out also from the group stage. Lebanon also participated in 6 / 8 times in the Arab Nations Cup in which they hosted the 1963 tournament finishing in 3rd place and 4th place in the 1964 tournament in Kuwait and the 1966 tournament in Iraq. Finally, Lebanon participated in 8 / 10 Pan Arab Games and managed to earn the bronze medals in the 1957 and the 1997 men's football tournaments in which they both hosted. They also managed a 4th place in the 1961 men's football tournament in Morocco.

History

Early Years

On April 27 in 1940, the Lebanon national football team played their first international match against Palestine/Eretz Israel in which they lost 5–1. Since 1957, their home stadium has been the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium and later throughout the years, they began playing some of their home matches at the Saida International Stadium. Lebanon's biggest win was recorded on September 28, 1967 when they defeated the phillipines 11-1. In all of Lebanons' attempts to qualify for the FIFA World Cup since the first participation in 1994, they were always able to qualify to the round before that final round that led to the direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup.

2000 AFC Asian Cup

Lebanon were hosts of the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. Under coach Josip Skoblar, Lebanon were drawn into Group A along side Iran, Iraq and Thailand. On October 12, Lebanon faced Iran where they found themselves losing 4–0. On October 15, Lebanon faced Iraq in Beirut where Sabah Jaeer Khalaf scored two goals in 22 minutes for Iraq. Abbas Chahrour scored for Lebanon at the 28 minutes before Moussa Hojeij equalized at the 76 minutes for a 2–2 draw. On October 18, Lebanon went behind in their last group stage fixture when Seksan Piturat scored for Thailand at the 58 minutes. Luís Fernandez equalized for the home side at the 83 minute as the match resulted in a 1–1 draw.

2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign

Under German coach Theo Bücker, Lebanon were drawn with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand in the first round of the qualifiers. On May 13, 2001 in Beirut, Lebanon defeated Pakistan 6–0. The result included hat-trick from Haitham Zein. On May 15, Lebanon hosted Sri Lanka where they would beat the visitors 4–0 with two goals from Roda Antar and one from each Moussa Hojeij and Mohammad Kassas. On May 17, Lebanon found themselves with a 1–0 lead after 9 minutes when Roda Antar netted for the home side. Seksan Piturat and Kiatisuk Senamuang would then both score for Thailand to give them a 2–1 win. With the next three fixtures staged in Bangkok, Lebanon stormed to an 8–1 win against Pakistan with Wartan Ghazarian, Roda Antar and Gilberto dos Santos all scoring two goals each. Lebanon would then score five goals past Sri Lanka two days later. Second placed Lebanon needed three points from their final group stage fixture against first placed Thailand to advance to the second round. Lebanon took the lead on 35 minutes when Wartan Ghazarian scored. Lebanon held that lead until Thailand scored on 73 minutes and again on 77 minutes. Moussa Hojeij equalized for Lebanon on 87 minutes as the match finished 2–2.

2004 Asian Cup qualifying campaign

Drawn in Group D of the Asian Cup qualifiers, Lebanon faced Iran, Jordan and North Korea. On September 4, 2003, Lebanon faced North Korea in Pyongyang. A goal from Buddy Farah saw Lebanon defeat the home side 1–0. It was reported that prior to the Lebanon-North Korea fixture the Lebanese camp had been mis-treated as hotel conditions were very poor and their training field contained goats and sheep. Lebanon were defeated by Jordan on October 17 before drawing 1–1 with North Korea in Lebanon on November 3. Lebanon then went on to lose their next three games, a 2–0 defeat to Jordan on November 12, a 3–0 home defeat to Iran on November 19 and a 1–0 away defeat in Iran saw Lebanon finish in third place of their respective group having only claimed four points.

2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign

Lebanon were drawn into the second round of qualifiers where they grouped with South Korea, Vietnam and Maldives. Coach Mahmoud Hamoud took with him a team of domestic based players to Suwon where Lebanon faced South Korea on February 18, 2004. Lebanon were without captain Roda Antar for the fixture. Lebanon could have taken the lead on 30 minutes where they had won a penalty, however, Lee Woon-Jae saved the spot kick. South Korea won the match 2–0. Lebanon then faced Vietnam in Nam Dinh on March 31 with two late second-half goals from Roda Antar and Khaled Hamieh on 83 and 88 minutes sealed a 2–0 victory. On June 9, Lebanon faced Maldives in Beirut. Both Haitham Zein and Roda Antar scored in the 3–0 win before 81 minute substitute Ali Nasseredine added the third just twelve minutes after entering the field. On September 8, Lebanon played the return-leg against Malvides in Malé. Ali Nasseredine opening the scoring after four minutes, then Faisal Antar would also score to give Lebanon a 2–0 half-time lead. Another goal from Nasseredine and two from Mahmoud Chahoud and Roda Antar brought the score-line to 5–0 before Maldives grabbed two late goals to finish the game at 5–2. On October 13, Lebanon hosted South Korea in Beirut. Second placed Lebanon had gained 9 points going into their second last game where as South Korea, who were on top of the group, had gained 10 points. South Korea defender Choi Jin-Cheul scored on 8 minutes. On 28 minutes a back pass played to South Korea's Lee Woon-Jae was fumbled allowing Ali Nasseredine to equalize by passing the ball into an un-guarded net. The 1–1 draw was insufficient for Lebanon to proceed to the third round when on the last day of the qualifiers Lebanon drew 0–0 with Vietnam in Beirut as South Korea would beat Maldives 2–0 in Seoul to progress to the next round.

2007 Asian Cup qualifying campaign

Lebanon were drawn into Group D for the 2007 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with Australia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The scheduled meeting of Australia and Lebanon made Buddy Farah declare to return to the national side. On February 22, 2006, Lebanon hosted Kuwait in Beirut. On 25 minutes Kuwait's Fahad Al Fahad opened the scoring for the visitors before Ali Nasseredine headed into the net from a set-piece to level the scores on 70 minutes. Prior to Lebanon's fixture with Bahrain on August 16, 2006, it was announced on August 1 that the AFC had accepted a withdrawal request from the Federation Libanaise de Football Association due to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, which forced several players to leave their homes to evade the war. The results of the Lebanon-Kuwait game were declared null and void and did not count towards the group rankings.

2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign

Lebanon were seeded into the first round of qualifiers were they faced India in a bid to qualify directly for the third round of qualifiers. On October 8, 2007, Lebanon hosted India. After a 30 minute goal from India's Sunil Chhetri, goals from Roda Antar, Mahmoud El Ali and two from Mohammed Ghaddar helped Lebanon to a 4–1 win. Mohammed Ghaddar would score another two goals in the return-leg as both sides drew 2–2 in Goa on October 30. Lebanon won 6–3 on aggregate and advanced to the third round. The campaign saw the absence of defender Youssef Mohamad who reportedly had a disagreement with Lebanon's assistant coach Adnan Meckdache where he had intensely criticized the Lebanese Football Federation and the national team coach. He was suspended by the Football Federation and would be allowed to return on the condition that he would apologize to the Lebanese F.A. and it's national team coach for the critical stance. Lebanon were then grouped with Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Uzbekistan. On February 6, 2008, Lebanon were defeated 1–0 by Uzbekistan in Beirut. Lebanon then went on to lose 2–0 to Singapore on March 26 and 4–1 to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on June 2, having been 1–0 infront after Mahmoud El Ali scored on 43 minutes. Lebanon's following fixture with Saudi Arabia was moved from Beirut to Riyadh where on June 7 Saudi Arabia would narrowly win 2–1 with two goals in each half from Saudi striker Redha Tukar before Mohammed Ghaddar grabbed a consulation goal on 93 minutes. Having been already elminiated from the third-round, Lebanon were defeated 3–0 by Uzbekistan in Tashkent on June 14. On June 22 in Beirut, Lebanon took a 1–0 lead when Signapore defender Baihakki Khaizan netted an own goal. Lebanon's Ramez Dayoub scored an own goal at the other end on 72 minutes before John Wilkinson gave the visitors a 2–1 victory.

2011 Asian Cup qualifying campaign

Lebanon and Maldives, the two lowest ranked AFC teams, played home-and-away matches in the preliminary round in April 2008 where the winner would proceed to the next round of qualifiers. On April 9, Lebanon cruised to a 4–0 home win with goals coming from Mahmoud El Ali, Ali Yaacoub, Abbas Ahmed Atwi and Mohammed Ghaddar all in the first half. In the return-leg goals from Mohamad Korhani and Nasrat Al Jamal helped Lebanon to a 2–1 win in Malé on April 23. Lebanon were then drawn into Group D of the qualifiers along with China, Syria and Vietnam. On January 14, 2009, Lebanon were defeated 3–1 to Vietnam in Hanoi. Lebanon went on to face three consecuitive defeats without scoring a single goal, having lost 2–0 to Syria on January 28, 2–0 to China in Beirut on November 14 and 1–0 again to China in Hangzhou on November 22. With two group stage fixtures remaining, Lebanon hosted Vietnam in Saida on January 6, 2010. Mahmoud El Ali opened the scoring for Lebanon on 20 minutes before Pham Thanh Luong equalized on 40 minutes. The match resulted in a 1–1 draw. In Lebanon's last group stage match they travelled to Damascus where they faced a 4–0 defeat by Syria at the Abbasiyyin Stadium on March 3.

2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign

Under coach Emile Rustom, who was re-appointed as head coach of the national team on May 5, 2011, Lebanon were drawn into the second round of qualifiers where they faced Bangladesh. Lebanon defeated Bangladesh 4–0 in Beirut on July 23 before losing 2–0 in Dhaka five days later. Lebanon advanced to the third round of the qualifiers where they were grouped with South Korea, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. Just under one week later, Emile Rustom resigned as head coach, citing obstacles such as internal administrative problems as the reason for his departure.

On August 8, 2011, Theo Bücker became Lebanon's new head coach. The former national team manager took over the reins ten years after leaving the position, bringing with him the intention of looking to "showcase Lebanese talent and give a good account of the game in the country." At their first match, South Korea defeated Lebanon 6–0 at the Goyang Stadium. Theo Bucker stated that "more than coming here to win, we came to prepare for the next game," indicating that he was more conerned about getting a result against United Arab Emirates and Kuwait in order to progress to the next round. Four days later, Lebanon came back from a goal down to beat the United Arab Emirates 3–1. UAE striker Mahmoud Khamees put the visitors in front after 15 minutes. Lebanon replied with goals from Mohammed Ghaddar, Akram Moghrabi and Roda Antar, who was awarded the man of the match.

Lebanon then hosted Kuwait in Beirut on October 11. Hassan Maatouk scored after 15 minutes, giving Lebanon a 1–0 lead until Kuwait's Musaed Neda equalized with a header. With six minutes left to go, Kuwait's Hussain Fadel brought down Akram Moghrabi in the penalty area. Hassan Maatouk scored his second goal after converting the penalty to give Lebanon a 2–1 lead. However, Lebanon's Mahmoud Younes allowed the Kuwaitis to come away with a point after scoring into his own net only two minutes later. After the 2–2 draw, Bucker stated "if we had equalized in the last minute we would be happy." Approximately 32,000 spectators were present for the first time since 2005 when the Lebanese F.A. had barred fans from entering the stadiums due to bad behaviour. On November 11, Lebanon beat Kuwait 1-0 with a goal scored by Mahmoud El Ali at the 57 minutes mark at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Kuwait. In November 15, 2011 Lebanon hosted South Korea at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut. Over 40,000 spectators were present to cheer for the Lebanese national team. After 4 minutes Lebanon took the lead by Ali Al Saadi, 11 minutes later Korea equalized the scoreline by a penalty kick. At the 30 minute of the match Lebanon was given a penalty kick after Mahmoud El Ali was tackeled inside the penalty area. Lebanon then took the lead after Abbas Ahmed Atwi perfectly delivered the ball into the net from the penalty spot and giving Lebanon a 2-1 victory for the first time in history against South Korea.

Records

FIFA World Cup

World Cup Finals World Cup Qualifications
Year Result Position GP W D L GS GA GP W D L GS GA
Uruguay 1930 to Italy 1990 Did not enter - - - - - - - - - - - - -
United States 1994 Did not qualify - - - - - - - 8 2 4 2 8 9
France 1998 Did not qualify - - - - - - - 4 1 1 2 4 7
South KoreaJapan 2002 Did not qualify - - - - - - - 6 4 1 1 26 5
Germany 2006 Did not qualify - - - - - - - 6 3 2 1 11 5
South Africa 2010 Did not qualify - - - - - - - 8 1 1 6 9 17
Brazil 2014 - - - - - - - - 7 4 1 2 12 12
Total - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
  • From 1930 to 1938, Lebanon was a part of France and therefore did not take part in any of the qualification process. Lebanon did not participate in the qualifying campaign for the World Cup until 1994.

AFC Asian Cup

Asian Cup Finals Asian Cup Qualifications
Year Result Position GP W D L GS GA GP W D L GS GA
Hong Kong 1956 to Iran 1968 Did not enter - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thailand 1972 Did not qualify - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Iran 1976 Withdrew - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kuwait 1980 Did not qualify - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Singapore 1984 Withdrew - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Qatar 1988 to Japan 1992 Did not enter - - - - - - - - - - - - -
United Arab Emirates 1996 Did not qualify - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lebanon 2000 Group Stage - 3 0 2 1 3 7 - - - - - -
China 2004 Did not qualify - - - - - - - - - - - - -
IndonesiaMalaysiaThailandVietnam 2007 Withdrew - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Qatar 2011 Did not qualify - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total Group Stage - 3 0 2 1 3 7 - - - - - -

Other Tournaments

Tournament Result
Kuwait 1989 Peace and Friendship Cup Group Stage
Thailand 2009 King's Cup 3rd place
India 2009 Nehru Cup Group Stage

Coaches

Coaching Staff

Position Name
Manager Germany Theo Bücker
Assistant Manager Algeria Moussa Bezaz
Assistant Manager Sudan Ousama Sakr
Goalkeeper Coach Lebanon Jihad Mahjoub

Matches

South Korea 6–0 Lebanon
Attendance: 35 000
Lebanon 3–1 United Arab Emirates
Attendance: 15 000
Lebanon 2–2 Kuwait
Attendance: 30 000
Kuwait 0–1 Lebanon
Attendance: 25 000
Lebanon 2–1 South Korea
Attendance: 40 000
Lebanon 1-0 Iraq
Attendance: 5 000
Qatar v Lebanon
United Arab Emirates v Lebanon

Players

The following players were called up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round match against United Arab Emirates on February 29, 2012. Caps and goals are as of November 15th, 2011.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Ziad Al-Samad (1978-08-06) August 6, 1978 (age 46) 30 0 Lebanon Safa Beirut SC
23 1GK Rabie El Kakhi (1984-08-09) August 9, 1984 (age 40) 1 0 Lebanon Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli Aley
21 1GK Hassan Hammoud (1980-08-06) August 6, 1980 (age 44) 0 0 Lebanon Al Ahed
26 1GK Abbas Hassan (1985-05-10) May 10, 1985 (age 39) 1 0 Sweden IFK Norrköping
2 2DF Ali Al Saadi (1986-04-20) April 20, 1986 (age 38) 27 4 Lebanon Safa Beirut
3 2DF Youssef Mohamad (1980-07-01) July 1, 1980 (age 44) 37 0 United Arab Emirates Al-Ahli
24 2DF Mootaz Jounaidi (1986-01-20) January 20, 1986 (age 38) 4 0 Lebanon Al Ansar
4 2DF Mahmoud B. Younes (1984-07-07) July 7, 1984 (age 40) 16 0 Lebanon Al Ahed
5 2DF Ramez Dayoub (1984-08-09) August 9, 1984 (age 40) 20 0 Malaysia Selangor FA
16 2DF Bilal Najjarin (1981-02-08) February 8, 1981 (age 43) 27 0 Australia Bankstown City Lions
19 2DF Walid Ismael (1990-01-01) January 1, 1990 (age 35) 8 0 Lebanon Racing Beirut
18 2DF Yousef Fakhro (1983-05-03) May 3, 1983 (age 41) 0 0 Sweden Trelleborgs FF
8 3MF Hassan Chaito (1991-01-24) January 24, 1991 (age 33) 1 0 Lebanon Al Ahed
11 3MF Ahmad Zreik (1990-01-01) January 1, 1990 (age 35) 6 0 Lebanon Al Ahed
12 3MF Mohammed Shamas (1987-02-25) February 25, 1987 (age 37) 8 0 Lebanon Nejmeh
14 3MF Nader Matar (1991-01-20) January 20, 1991 (age 33) 1 0 Spain CD Canillas
15 3MF Haytham Faour (1981-11-17) November 17, 1981 (age 43) 6 0 Lebanon Al Ahed
20 3MF Roda Antar Captain (1980-09-12) September 12, 1980 (age 44) 32 15 China Shandong Luneng
21 3MF Mohamad Hamoud (1987-05-01) May 1, 1987 (age 37) 3 0 Lebanon Al-Ansar Club
7 4FW Hassan Maatouk (1987-10-08) October 8, 1987 (age 37) 22 4 United Arab Emirates Ajman Club
9 4FW Mohamad Haidar (1989-11-08) November 8, 1989 (age 35) 3 0 Lebanon Safa Beirut
10 4FW Abbas Ahmed Atwi (1979-09-12) September 12, 1979 (age 45) 29 2 United Arab Emirates Dubai Club
13 4FW Akram Moghrabi (1985-10-19) October 19, 1985 (age 39) 16 3 Lebanon Nejmeh
17 4FW Mahmoud El Ali (1984-03-04) March 4, 1984 (age 40) 28 6 Lebanon Al Ahed
22 4FW Mohammed Ghaddar (1984-01-01) January 1, 1984 (age 41) 46 26 Malaysia Kelantan FA
  1. ^ Földesi, László. "Wartan Ghazarian – International Goals". RSSSF. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
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