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- The 1-0 win means Lebanon will join Algeria, Egypt and Sudan in Group D of the competition taking place in Qatar in November
DOHA: A stunning second-half volley from Hilal Al-Helwe saw Lebanon beat Djibouti 1-0 to earn a place at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar later this year.
The Lebanese team will now join Algeria, Egypt and Sudan in Group D of the tournament taking place between Nov. 27 and Dec. 18.
Lebanon were the heavy favorites heading into the qualifier, with the Cedars, at 93, sitting 90 places above Djibouti (183) in the FIFA World Rankings.
Djibouti, however, proved to be a far more stubborn opponent than Lebanon had anticipated as they successfully defended many attacks thanks to fine performances by goalkeeper Innocent Mbonihankuye and his defenders.
While Mbonihankuye kept Lebanon mostly at bay, especially from a series of set-pieces, Djibouti produced one of the most significant changes of the first half when Mahamoud Doualeh ended an excellent passage of play with a shot on target only for it to be deflected by the Lebanese defense for a corner.
Lebanon improved immediately after the break, and it was Al-Helwe who produced the monument of the match for coach Jamal Taha’s team within the first minute of the restart, firmly volleying past Mbonihankuye and from Mohammed Haidar’s pass.
Djibouti could have squared the match on 56 minutes when Mahabeh Mahdi was played through on goal, but the advancing Lebanon keeper Mehdi Khalil saved to seal his country’s spot at the FIFA Arab Cup in November.