Preview: Lebanon vs Tajikistan – Prediction, team news, lineups

Lebanon against Tajikistan in an international friendly match on Wednesday at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

The two teams will compete alongside Malaysia and the Philippines in the 43rd edition of the Merdeka Tournament – ​​a quadrennial friendly tournament held in Malaysia to commemorate Malaysia's Independence Day.

Game Preview

© Imago

Lebanon, ranked 116th in the world by FIFA, is coached by Montenegrins. Miodrag Radulovicwho has been in office since December last year and has a record of two wins, two draws and five defeats in nine games.

Lebanon started 2024 with a 1-0 defeat in a friendly against Saudi Arabia and were subsequently eliminated in the group stages of the postponed AFC Asian Cup after picking up just one point in three matches.

The Cedars then failed to win or score in their first three AFC World Cup qualifiers, but their seven-match winless streak in all competitions ended in impressive fashion with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Bangladesh on 11 June.

Lebanon will be looking to avenge their defeat of Tajikistan on Wednesday, having suffered a 2-1 defeat in their only previous meeting during the Asian Cup in January.

Unlike Lebanon, Tajikistan advanced from the group stage of the Asian Cup and reached the quarter-finals in their first-ever participation in the tournament, where they lost 1-0 to eventual finalists Jordan.

Petar Segrt After the tournament, he resigned as head coach and was replaced in February by the Georgian Gela Shekiladzewho won one, drew one and lost two in his first four games as coach.

After Tajikistan failed to win its first three AFC World Cup qualifiers, Shekiladze celebrated his first victory as Crowns coach with a 3-0 win over Pakistan in June.

Tajikistan, ranked 103rd in the world by FIFA, will now be looking to win two consecutive international matches for the first time since January and end a run of three consecutive away games without a win or goal.

The winners of Wednesday's match between Lebanon and Tajikistan will play either Malaysia or the Philippines in the final of the Merdeka tournament, while the losers will face the other defeated semi-finalist in the third-place match.

Lebanon form (All competitions):

Tajikistan Form (All Competitions):

Team News

© Reuters

Al-Najma, left-back Mohammed Saif has been called up to the Lebanese senior national team for the first time and the 21-year-old could make his debut either from the start or as a substitute.

Winger Khalil Bader And Zain Al-Abidin Franwho have both returned to the first team after missing the last international break in June, could also be used in some capacity, while the 95-year-old Mohammed Haidar should lead the team from midfield as captain.

As for Tajikistan, central defender Vakhdat Khanonov will be out for “several weeks” after a thigh injury, while goalkeeper Rustam Yatimow was also omitted because he is suffering from an unspecified injury.

Experienced left-back Akhtam Nazarov is expected to start in the back four, while captain Parvizdzhon Umarbayev pulls the strings in midfield and Shahrom Samiev leads the line.

A total of eight players without international experience were called up to Shekiladze’s squad, including the 18-year-old trio Barakatullo Nigmatullozoda, Djovidon Chushvakhtov And Bilol Boboevwho are all hoping for their debut.

Possible starting eleven for Lebanon:
M. Matar; Zein, Ayoub, Nassar; Safwan; Tneich, Srour; Darwich, Haidar, Chaaban, Bitar

Possible starting eleven for Tajikistan:
Barotov; Safarov, Khanonov, Z. Dzhuraboev, Nazarov; Shukurov, Umarbayev, Irgashev; Solechov, Samiev, Toirov

We think: Lebanon 1-2 Tajikistan

There is little separating these two nations and Kuala Lumpur should see a closely contested match, but we expect Tajikistan to come out on top this time around, just as they did the last time they met seven months ago.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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