AFC
Iraq and Lebanon will be aiming to kickstart their respective AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar campaigns when they lock horns at Khalifa International Stadium on Matchday Three of Group A today.
The two nations sit equal at the bottom of the group with a point each with only goal difference setting them apart.
Iraq had managed a credible opening day goalless draw against Korea Republic, though they capitulated five days later against the Islamic Republic of Iran, losing 3-0.
Lebanon on the other hand held the United Arab Emirates to a 0-0 draw in Dubai on the opening day to secure their first point, but succumbed to Paulo Bento’s men in Suwon thanks to a Kwon Chang-hoon strike on the hour mark.
Iraq head coach Dick Advocaat will be missing a number of players, including defenders Dhurgham Ismael and Saad Natiq who picked up injuries with their clubs recently.
On the other hand, Ivan Hasek’s Lebanon have two major injury concerns to deal with in the form of Nour Mansour, who picked up an injury during Al Ahed’s AFC Cup loss against Bahrain’s Muharraq Club as well as Hassan Chaitou.
Major additions to the squad from last month’s qualifiers include midfielder Bassel Jradi, and Lebanon Pro League leading scorer Fadl Antar.
The two sides’ last competitive fixture in an AFC competition came in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, when Lebanon earned their first-ever point in a major tournament thanks to Moussa Hojeij’s late equaliser to make it 2-2 in Beirut.