Between the Asian Cup qualifiers and the World Cup qualifiers, the Lebanese national team has experienced several memorable moments through victories that are considered historic, leaving a legacy for future generations and serving as a moral boost to replicate and lead our team to the furthest possible journey in every continental occasion. Between the early 1970s, through the 1990s, and into the new millennium, many scenes replay in memory before each new qualifying round for the Asian Cup or the World Cup, such as those that Lebanon will experience starting next Thursday when they face their Palestinian counterpart in Group 9 of the double qualifiers, which also includes Bangladesh and Australia.
**First Asian Victory**
Lebanon's journey of victories in the Asian Cup qualifiers began 52 years ago, specifically on December 19, 1971, with a win against neighboring Syria, 3-2, in a match held at the Shuweikh Secondary School Stadium in Kuwait. This victory was significant for the Lebanese at that time, especially since they had lost their first match against the host team by a single goal (they withdrew ten minutes before the end in protest against the expulsion of captain Suhail Rahal). The Lebanese community awaited joy as left winger Dawood Mntofi and leading scorer Youssef Al Ghoul delivered two goals, the first with a header and the second with a 30-meter shot, despite Syria taking the lead twice during the match. The final scene remains etched in memory after the final whistle, as Lebanese expatriates in Kuwait sang the Lebanese national anthem, and media outlets shared images of supporters crying from the emotional impact of this first Asian victory.
**First World Cup Victory**
The first Lebanese victory in the World Cup qualifiers dates back to June 9, 1993, when the "Cedars" defeated Hong Kong 2-1 in Seoul, within Group 4 matches. This victory could have been much more significant, as our national team wasted 24 goal-scoring opportunities and missed a penalty after Hong Kong scored the first goal from a clear offside in the 21st minute. However, just seven minutes before halftime, Youssef Farhat equalized following a high ball played by Abdel Fattah Shehab to the right, which was headed by Mohamed Musalamani before reaching the 'Korean' who, wearing the captain's armband for the first time in his international career, skillfully evaded two defenders inside the penalty area to score. The winning goal came in the 76th minute after a pass from Musalamani that was converted by Jamal Taha to Wael Nazha, who netted it with his left foot. This victory carried immense meaning for the Lebanese, leading to car processions raising Lebanese flags in various regions to celebrate.
**The Biggest Victories**
On May 26, 2001, Lebanon recorded its largest victory in World Cup qualifiers, defeating Pakistan 8-1, within Group 5 matches for the 2002 World Cup. There in Thailand, where Lebanon played against the host country and Sri Lanka, the team led by German coach Theo Bucker included several distinguished names such as goalkeeper Ali Faqih, Korkin Yenkibaryan, Faisal and Rida Antara, Badawi Farah, Salmao Saleh, Fadi Ghosn, and Vartan Ghazarian, which enabled it to become the top-scoring team in the group with 19 goals. The Lebanese goals against Pakistan, which conceded six goals in the first leg in Beirut, came from Faisal Antara, Vartan (2), Rida Antara (2), Gilberto Dos Santos (2), and Marcelo Silva. Lebanon's largest victory in the double qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup was recorded on November 12, 2015, against Laos, 7-0 in Sidon, in Group 7, with goals scored by Youssef Mohammed, Rida Antara, Hassan Chaitto "Moni" (2), Ali Hamam, Hassan Maatouk, and Joan Al-Amri.
**An Unfulfilled Dream**
The first and closest opportunity for the Lebanese to achieve the dream of qualifying for the World Cup was during the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where many did not expect the team to perform so strongly, particularly after the opening loss to South Korea with a score of 6-0 in Group 2. However, the reaction was remarkable on September 6, 2011, when our team defeated their Emirati guests 3-1 in Beirut, with goals from Mohamed Ghadar, Akram Maghrabi, and Rida Antara. Five days later, Lebanon lost all points at home by drawing with Kuwait 2-2, before bouncing back a month later with a narrow victory on the latter's ground thanks to a lone goal by Mahmoud Ali. This win lifted everyone's spirits as tens of thousands gathered in the stands of Camille Chamoun Sports City under rain on November 15, 2011, resulting in a stunning victory over South Korea, 2-1, with goals from Ali Al-Saadi and Abbas Ahmed Atwi. Despite losing to the UAE 2-4 in the final round, our team reached the final qualifying stage, gathering 5 points and achieving a single but resounding victory over their Iranian guest 1-0 on September 11, 2012, with a goal from captain Rida Antara.
