Lebanon will conflict in opposition to the Maldives in its remaining Group B conflict of the 2023 SAFF Championship on the Kanteerava Stadium right here on Wednesday.
Lebanon, at present on prime of its group, gained each its matches in opposition to Bangladesh and Bhutan, respectively. With six factors from two matches, the Cedars can verify a berth within the semifinals in the event that they beat the Maldives of their remaining group match.
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The Cedars will begin in opposition to the Maldives because the clear favourites however head coach Aleksandar Ilic will remind his group to not get complacent.
In its final match in opposition to Bhutan, Lebanon was cruising with a 4-0 win. But, it took its foot off the pedal, and Bhutan scored a late comfort objective, which irked Ilic on the touchlines.
“In the first half [against Bhutan], we were aggressive. At half-time, I told the boys to stay serious, but they [Bhutan] scored a goal in the second-half,” Ilic stated after the final match.
Maldives is on three factors from two matches. It suffered a 3-1 loss in opposition to Bangladesh in its final match, and the Red Snappers discover themselves in a tough place heading into their remaining group-stage match.
They are third within the desk, equal on factors with second-placed Bangladesh, with the latter being on prime by advantage of head-to-head.
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Maldives head coach Francesco Moreiro didn’t shrink back from expressing his dissatisfaction along with his group’s efficiency after the loss in opposition to Bangladesh.
Apologising to the folks of Maldives for the loss, Moreiro stormed out of the post-match press convention and refused to take any questions.
Lebanon has a 100% win report in opposition to the Maldives, having crushed it on all 4 earlier events.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com