Group D: Lebanon 5-2 Thailand

Lebanon needed a win to have a fighting chance of reaching the knockout phase after playing to a 2-2 draw with Kyrgyz Republic in their opener, and pressed the issue from the beginning, while Thailand, who enjoyed a 5-1 win over Jordan, moved patiently with the ball.

However, it didn’t take long for Lebanon to take the lead, as Mohammad Kobeissy found the back of the net from a corner set play in the third minute, before Ahmad Kheir El Dine intercepted a pass and beat goalkeeper Kanison Phoonpun to double their advantage three minutes later.

Lebanon were definitely more coordinated in their attacks, with quick one-two touches that kept Thailand’s backline under pressure, and despite Jose Maria Pazos changing their tactics with multiple flying substitutions, Thailand’s best chances came from counter-attacks but the West Asians were too quick on their feet.