Lebanon draw with Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan earned their first point in the Nehru Cup after holding higher-ranked Lebanon to a 1-1 draw.

Kyrgyzstan took the lead after a tepid first half through man-of-the-match Zemlianuhin Anton at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. But Lebanon hit back within 10 minutes, after a good move resulted in Abbas Ahmad Atwi grabbing the equaliser. Neither side did enough to deserve all three points, though, as the game petered out for a draw.

The Kyrgyz coach, Ormombekov Anarbek, agreed, saying, "We tried to win but our team lacks experience. In the end, the result was a fair one for both sides."

Meanwhile, Emile Rustom, the Lebanese coach, admitted that the result had dealt a major blow to his team's aspirations of making the final. "It'll be difficult because we have to get all three points from the next game (against Syria), and hope that other results go our way."

The opening half ended goalless, with neither team exerting any control over the proceedings. Both sides seemed to lack any attacking intent, with most of the play being concentrated in the middle of the park.

The best chance of the entire period fell to the impressive Anton, who hit the post twice in less than 60 seconds. In the 31st minute, the hard-working Kyrgyz striker struck the ball on the turn from a corner, but hit the near post. He was unlucky soon again, when his fierce shot in the 32nd minute hit the crossbar.

Other than that, Kyrgyzstan kept their shape well and went forward on occasions, but had nothing to show for their efforts. Mirzaliev Almazbek, who missed a penalty in the loss to India, had a disappointing game before being taken off in the 63rd minute. This was summed up by his 36th-minute effort, when he completely missed the ball from two yards out.

Lebanon, on the other hand, seemed content to just keep possession, which was perhaps surprising given the lower rank of their opponents and the fact that a win in this game would have brought them closer to a spot in the final. The defence dealt easily enough with any possible threat Kyrgyzstan tried to pose, but the Lebanese created no clear-cut chances either as the game was played at a slow tempo.

The second half began on a more promising note. Kyrgyzstan took the lead after a quick counter-attack saw Anton's shot from the edge of the area go in past Lebanese keeper Lary Mehanna in the 48th minute.

But Lebanon got back on level terms in the 55th minute. Hassan Maatouk sidestepped two players before sending a delightful ball to Mohmoud El Ali, who then cut the ball across for Abbas Atwi to slot in at the near post.

That proved to be the last meaningful action of the match, though Ali Yaakoub's header hit the post in the 59th minute, while Atwi missed a good chance in the 63rd to win it for Lebanon.

Having pulled off an unexpected win over hosts India in their opening match, Lebanon have now added just one point to their tally since then, having earlier lost to Sri Lanka. However, denying that complacency was the reason, coach Rustom explained: "Fatigue was a major factor. The temperature makes it tough. Moreover, except our keeper, all the players are fasting due to Ramadan."

The result brightens India's prospects though, who face the Lankans in their next match on Wednesday.