Lebanon qualifies to the final round for the first time ever 

The Lebanese Olympic Team qualified to the final round of the Asian Qualifications for the Athens 2004 Olympic games after its massive victory against Indonesia 5-1 in the Full-House match which was held on Beirut Municipality Stadium where the crowds were more than 20 thousand spectators. 

Thus, Lebanon made a special achievement in its football history guided with the great policy of the LFA with its determination, dedication and good futuristic planing for all the national teams, which is built on developed and great basis. Therefore, we can say that the Olympic Team’s success was not a coincidence but it came as a result for the hard work and good care of the players by the Teams’ manager, committees, technical staff and the LFA’s members. 

As for the match, the Lebanese team opened the score sheet after 47 seconds of the kick-off when Khodr Najdi broke through the right side and crossed the ball to Abbas Atwi who headed it on the keeper’s left to score Lebanon’s first goal. Soon after, Lebanon nearly scored the second goal but the Indonesian goalkeeper saved Adham Ghaddar’s ball. 

Despite the Lebanese dominance, Syamsul Bachir scored the equalizer for Indonesia when he got the ball from a corner kick and stroke a powerful shot which was deflect by Yihya Hachem. At the 33^rd and 35^th minutes, the Lebanese keeper Mohammad Santina saved his goal from two Indonesian counter attacks. Then, 5 minutes before the end of the first half, Khodr Salame gave hope to all Lebanese fans when he scored the second goal with another header for a cross ball by Abbas Atwi. 

The second half tempo was quick by the Lebanese team, when the superstar Khodr Salame scored the third goal after he got the ball from Abbas Atwi and broke through the Indonesian defenders and stroke a powerful ball in the net. After this goal, the Lebanese players depended mainly on the right side of the field with Agob Donabidian who was just like a “Rocket”. In addition, Abbas Atwi was on the edge of scoring the fourth goal but his quick strike passed through the post. Then, Mohammad Chahrour broke through the Indonesian defenders but the Indonesian goalkeeper saved his shot. 

At the 57^th minute, Khodr Salame played a powerful free kick through the defenders’ wall and scored the 4^th goal for Lebanon and his Hat-trick. Then, the Lebanese players dominated the field and made use of the low-spirit of the Indonesian side who succumbed to the Lebanese attacks. In the dying minutes, the substitue Rony Azar finished the football show with the fifth goal after a great effort. He passed through everyone including the goalkeeper and netted the ball in the empty goal to end the great match with hilarious emotions for the Lebanese supporters who got down the to the field to celebrate with their heroes. 

Lebanon: Mohammad Santina, Sami el Choum, Tarek Nasr El Din (Khaled Hamie), Abbas Kinaan, Hayssam Atwi (Mohammad Chahrour), Khodr Salame, Khodr Najdi, Yihya Hachem, Abbas Atwi, Agob Donabidian, Adham Ghaddar (Rony Azar) 

- The match was refereed by a group from Kuwait.

June 08, 2003


Editor: Fadi Semaan
Auditor: Mohamad Hallal
Photos: Adnan Hajj Ali
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