The Brunei Darussalam national football team endured a 5-0 defeat to Lebanon in Group ‘B’ of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round at the Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar on Wednesday.
The Wasps showed promise in the early proceedings of the match as Naziruddin Ismail floated a cross into the box which was just out of reach for target man Adi Said. The Lebanese enjoyed a perfect start as Malek Fakhro guided his header towards goal in the fifth minute following a cross from Mohamad Safwan.
The pre-match favourites doubled their lead as Samy Merheg planted a fierce header past Brunei shot-stopper Haimie Anak Nyaring, with Mohamad Safwan credited with another assist.
Fakhro completed his brace seven minutes later after Hussein Zein teed off the MSV Duisburg man with Majed Osman causing havoc to the Brunei defence.
Despite seeing little possession of the ball, Adi Said managed to skip past an opponent before sending a cross into the box which was read out by Lebanon goalkeeper Mostafa Matar. The Cedars provided the perfect demonstration of a patient build-up play with a 62 unbroken pass sequence before Husseyn Chakroun completed the team move with a thunderous finish.
With the West Asian nation afforded the luxury of easing up, Lebanon substitute Mohamad Haidar delivered a fine strike in injury time to complete his team’s scoring.
The Wasps will continue their campaign against Bhutan at home at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on June 10.
