Lebanon head to their debut Asian Cup on foreign soil in red hot form, boasting one of the longest unbeaten streaks in world football over the last two years, seeing them rise to within the top 10 of Asia. While expectations are noticeably suppressed (for good reason) on the leadup to January, the Cedars remain a team that have found a new lease of life since the appointment of their unknown Montenegrin manager and will look to surprise one or two more in the UAE.
Lebanese football has regularly been seen as an untapped resource, that Asia has rarely seen blossom. Club football remains modest, continuing to fall way behind their neighbours, in terms of both resources and footballing prestige. The rise of the national team in the last four years could look to turn things around for the country though, heading into their first Asian Cup appearance for nearly 20 years with more than a sense of optimism.
Their story of qualification was that of slow growth. Starting in a World Cup preliminary group that featured South Korea, immediate progression was written off early, but the tussle with Kuwait for second became an interesting subplot of the entire group phase. Regrettably, a 1-0 defeat at home, followed by a goalless draw in Kuwait, left themselves adrift of their peers. While Kuwait’s resulting ban from international football, saw Lebanon eventually finish ahead, the fact they couldn’t see a reversal in their results prior left them cut adrift of making it through as a lucky loser.
The early qualification stages were used as a building block however, in hope of achieving their more realistic aim of qualifying for the Asian Cup. Their progress in Round 3 clearly demonstrated how far they’d come in such a short space of time; cruising to four wins from five, with their only dropped points coming in an eventful 2-2 draw in Pyongyang to North Korea; the campaign was an unequivocal success. Far from mere qualification, Lebanon have pretty much remained unbeaten for the last two years.
Their unbeaten run, that stretched between March 2016 through to October this year, saw them extend their streak to 13 matches, only matched by former World Cup champions Spain. Previously a national team that had for too long lacked an end product on the competitive stage, was now a side reborn under new leadership.
That leadership, headed by Miodrag Radulovic has engulfed the country and its wider diaspora, who look to head to the Emirates in their numbers to support their nation. A relatively underwhelming appointment back in 2015, taking over the role from legendary Italian footballer Guiseppe Giannini, Radulovic proved to be the perfect fit for Lebanon, recruiting several new faces from scouring Europe, whilst bringing a new attacking philosophy to the team that provided dividends in later qualification.
The side has regularly been limited by the fact the core of the squad ply their trade at home in Lebanon. The recruitment of talent from across Europe has both improved the quality but also the range of their skill base. German born, but based in the lower leagues of England, Omar Bugiel has epitomised the rise of Lebanon under Radulovic. A modest player domestically, but a player that brings a goal scoring outlet that the national team has long desired.
Taking any pressure off their leading light Hassan Maatouk was an essential task Radulovic had to deal with. Maatouk has been an ever present since the turn of the decade, when Lebanon hit their lowest mark in the world rankings, to continue to lead his side to this day, to their highest position, comfortably within the world’s top 100. While their attacking fulcrum has recently returned home, his wealth of experience and notch above ability that he demonstrated regularly whilst playing in the Emirates, remains the catalyst in which the side builds attacking play on.
In the last few years, the emergence of younger heirs has been slow to progress. But in the aforementioned Bugiel, and Greek based Hilal El-Helwe, who scored three over the course of qualification, Lebanon have enough tools to frighten any team on the break. With a nucleus of the well experienced Joan Oumari to marshal the defence, and the talent of new Danish born recruit Bassel Jradi in midfield, the squad look well positioned to challenge to better their previous best at an Asian Cup and navigate past the group stage.
Enabling such an attacking game at the highest level remains a tricky proposition however. The last few months have not only seen Lebanon lose their world leading unbeaten streak but lose twice; to Kuwait (fresh after their ban was lifted) and heavily to reigning champions Australia. Without a win in their last four, a retreat in tactics has been noticeable (fielding a back five against the Socceroos), alluding to a more cautious approach upon their kick off with a deadly Qatari attack to come in January.
Lebanon have remained an enigma of Asian football for years, and that will persist going into their Asian Cup campaign. Illustrating fine attacking football in qualification is one thing but showcasing the same sort of invention at the elite table may be another feat entirely. The emergence of Jradi, Bugiel and El-Helwe promises much, but without the freedom and willingness to trust their ability to contest, a cautious campaign is likely to win out.
With a similarly tough ask facing them in game week two against Saudi Arabia, a last-minute shootout with North Korea could ultimately decide their progress. A flash back to last October, in their 5-0 home win in qualification against the same opponents, a repeat performance would be something memorable to witness at the Asian Cup.
Key Men
Head Coach - Miodrag Radulovic (MON)
The key man behind the rise of Lebanese football, since his appointment in 2015, becoming the first Montenegrin coach in history to qualify a national team for a major tournament. Well liked in the country, for bringing through talent to match the local feel of the squad, can pull on a varied coaching career that included a spell with Uzbek giants Pakhtakor.
Star Player - Hassan Maatouk
Legendary winger or lone front man who has captivated Asian football for years with his immense talent and impressive work rate. A regular goalscorer for Al-Fujairah in the UAE, until moving home with Nejmeh last summer. Is set to become the record appearance holder and goalscorer for the Cedars in the coming years.
Cult Hero - Joan Oumari
Outspoken Berlin born centre back, who only returned to the national team, after greater guarantees of minutes under Radulovic. Has played his entire career outside of Lebanon, much of it taking place in Europe, however moved to play alongside Fernando Torres at Sagan Tosu earlier this year.
Young Prospect - Hilal El-Helwe
Winger, who has the capacity to play down the middle, El-Helwe offers creative movement and a deft finish. The 24-year-old, has been integral to the successes made under the Radulovic, utilising his recent form to make the move out of the lower leagues in Germany to Apollon Smyrnis in the Greek Super League.
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