Lebanon striker Hassan Maatouk competes for the ball against Thailand's Teeratep Winotha. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling team Lebanon (2-2-1, 7 points) is scheduled to clash again with winless squad Laos (0-4-1, 1 point) this time at their home field of Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut on Thursday for a Group G match in the second round of the AFC 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Lebanon topped Laos, 2-0, in their first meeting at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane on June 16 as striker Mohammed Ghaddar and forward Feiz Shamsin had one goal apiece against the Laotians.
The Cedars settled for a goalless draw with top team Kuwait at the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City during their most recent match of the tourney last October 13, as per Soccerway.
With the tie, Lebanon earned a point in the Group G standings to keep themselves in the no. 3 spot. A win against Laos in this match will give them an opportunity to be on the top two and advance in the next round of competitions.
Meanwhile, Thim Xad just can't get anything going for them in this tournament. Their last game was a 1-3 loss versus lowly Myanmar at Bangkok's Suphachalasai Stadium on October 13th, via the Myanmar Times.
Striker Khampheng Sayavutthi was able to draw first blood for Steve Darby's side right in the opening minutes, but the White Angels were quick to answer with a goal from midfielder Suan Lam Mang at the 13th to level the count.
Two more goals by Myanmar at the 32nd and 50th took away all hopes of victory for Laos as they succumbed to their fourth loss in five outings in this tourney.
The predicted result is a 2-1 win for Lebanon.
Lebanon starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Khalil; Mohamad, Mansour, Oumari, Ismail, Hamam; Chaito, A. Haidar, Antar; Maatouk, M. Haidar
Laos starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Sengdalavong; Phommapanya, Hanvilay, Pinkeo, Sibounhuang, Souksavath; Khochalern, Bountathip, Souliyavong; Khantavong, Sayavutthi
