Football players of Turkmenistan national team have won Lebanon 3:2 in qualifying match of 20222 World Cup, which was held in Korean Goyang under central tournament in H Group. Zafar Babajanov (60th minute), Guychmurad Annakuliyev (86th minute) and Altymurad Annadurdiyev (90+2) were the ones who scored the goals in our team. Rabi Ataya (74th minute) and Suni Saad (76th minute0 have distinguished themselves among the lost team.
Until this match, Lebanon team was thought to be a difficult opponent for our players, which is indicated by the statistics of matches between two teams. Previously, the teams have met three times in official matches and Lebanese players have won – 3:1 and 1:0 in Beirut and Ashgabat under qualification for 1996 Asian Cup and 2:1 in qualifying march for 2022 World Cup in the capital of Lebanon.
The first half did not have many dangerous moments. Mohamad Kdu has lost his chance to score in the first half after hitting the ball with his head to the bar on the 33rd minute. Altymurad Annadurdiyev and captain of the team Arslanmurad Amanov could have scored among Turkmen team. However, the first one has hit the side of the goal while another shoot hit the goalkeeper from the distance.
In the second half, the teams have accelerated and scoring moments started happening more often.
Finishing the pass after breakthrough of Altymurad Annadurdiyev from the left flank, Rahman Myratberdiyev has shot above empty goals.
Lebanese players have responded with dangerous attacks on the 55th and 58th minutes but goalkeeper Rasul Chariyev was excellent in both moments. Shortly, sportsmen of Honored Coach of Turkmenistan Yazkuly Hojageldiyev took 1:0 lead. Making free kick from the right flank on the 60th minute, Arslanmurad Amannov made accurate lofted pass to back Zafar Babajanov, who drove the header to the goal.
After the first goal, Turkmen players have relaxed and missed two goals. First, having dribbled three defenders in Maradona style, Rabi Ataya equalized the score to 1:1 and two minutes after, long 28-meter kick of Suni Saad has taken Lebanon ahead with 2:1 score.
To the honor of our players, they have not lost their nerves and continued playing until the end and have been rewarded for their insistence. At first, after lofted ball from the penalty zone by Ahmed Atayev, Guychmurad Annakuliyev has successfully transferred the ball to the goal. Right after the goal, Lebanon team was left in minority as Nur Mansur received red card for the disputes with the referee.
At the second added minute, Altymurad Annadurdiyev has successfully entered the penalty zone of the opponent and have accurately kicked into the right corner taking Turkmenistan in the lead.
In other match of H Group, the team of the Republic of Korea has defeated Sri Lanka team with 5:0 score and ensured its entry to the next qualification leg of 2022 World Cup with 13 points. Lebanese team is on the second position with 10 points. Turkmenistan team is on the third position with 9 points. Players of Sri Lanka are on the fourth position without any points.
The tournament of the second qualification round of 2022 World Cup in Goyang to be completed with match between the Republic of Korea and Lebanon on June 13.
Reporter «AA»
Photo from the website of Asian Football Confederation
