FIFA Futsal World Cup Asian Playoff – 2nd Leg: Draw enough for Vietnam to deny Lebanon Finals ticket

Vietnam took the lead through Chau Doan Phat with Ali Tneich equalising for Lebanon but it was not to be enough for the West Asians to seal a place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time.

Vietnam join Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan and Thailand, who were the other playoff winners, in the tournament Finals, scheduled to kick off on September 12.

The second leg was very much similar to when the two sides met just two days ago, where they played to a goalless draw. Both teams exchanged tame shots in the opening minutes, followed up with a series of fine saves from the goalkeepers to see the first half end in a stalemate.

The goalless deadlock continued well into the second half, but Doan Phat finally broke the deadlock in 37th minute, displaying some fine footwork to dribble past Ahmad Kheir El Dine before slotting past goalkeeper Hussein Hamdani.

Lebanon immediately switched gears, sending on Ali Tneich as the fifth attacking player. That all-out attack caught the Vietnamese defence off guard, and the power player made good work to finish off a series of pass with a simple tap in from close range to bring the score level within the same minute.

Vietnam, however, didn’t sit back in defence and took the match to Lebanon, keeping the West Asians pressed in the final moments. Tneich continued to be the additional manpower, but Vietnam held firm in defence to seal their ticket.