China and Lebanon settle for 0-0 draw to leave Asian Cup progress in the balance

China’s Dai Wai-Tsun in action with Lebanon’s Hussein Zein, Ali Tneich and Khalil Khamis during their AFC Asian Cup — Group A — match at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, on Jan. 17, 2024. (Reuters)

• A 0-0 draw with Lebanon on Wednesday left both nations’ hopes of reaching the round of 16 in the balance
• Lebanon hit the bar twice and China saw an effort cleared off the line as they had to share the points at Al Thumama Stadium

DOHA: After back-to-back draws at the start of the Asian Cup, China likely need at least a point against host and defending champion Qatar to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage.
A 0-0 draw with Lebanon on Wednesday left both nations’ hopes of reaching the round of 16 in the balance.
While China are second in Group A on two points, they have the daunting task of facing Qatar in their final game, knowing defeat could see them overtaken by Lebanon or Tajikistan.
“We know that we depend on ourselves and that is something that every team would like to be in that position before the last game,” China coach Aleksandar Jankovic said.
“So, we depend on ourselves. No matter (if) we play against a host country... Qatar with their World Cup experience, we still depend on ourselves, and I always like to be in this kind of situation.”
Lebanon hit the bar twice and China saw an effort cleared off the line as they had to share the points at Al Thumama Stadium.
Lebanon lost 3-0 to Qatar in their opening game and are bottom of the group with one point, but they could still advance.
“It’s a very important point for us especially after a tough defeat against Qatar,” coach Miodrag Radulovic said. “We hit two posts, but unfortunately we didn’t score again. I’m satisfied with this point because we are still in the game to the end for the next round.”
Hassan Maatouk and Hasan Srour hitting the bar for Lebanon either side of halftime.
Wu Lei thought he’d broken the deadlock for China in the 65th minute, but his close-range range shot was hooked off the line.
China, a quarterfinalist in each of the last two Asian Cups, went into this game knowing their chances of advancing were in jeopardy after a 0-0 draw with Tajikistan in their opening match.
They likely need at least a point against Qatar to have a chance of advancing as runner-up or one of the best third-placed teams.
Qatar lead Group A with three points, and they were facing Tajikistan on Wednesday with the chance to secure their place in the round of 16. Third-placed Tajikistan also have one point.
China came close to scoring in the first half when Lebanon goalkeeper Mostafa Matar twice denied Zhang Yuning in one threatening attack.
Substitute Lin Liangming should have been more clinical late in the match, but headed wide when unmarked right in front of goal.