Qatar edges past Lebanon in World Cup qualifier

PressTV – BEIRUT, Qatar has edged past Lebanon in the Asian qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, thanks to a solo goal by striker Sebastian Soria.

The two sides played the opening Group A World Cup qualifier match in Beirut on Sunday.

Soria scored eighteen minutes after the match, taking advantage of a poor pass from Lebanese defender Ramez Dayoub and then eluding goalkeeper Ziad El-Samad for an easy tap-in.

Qatar, which will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals, returns home to meet South Korea on Friday.

Lebanon will also face Uzbekistan after the Central Asians lost 1-0 to Iran at home earlier on Sunday.

Qatar and Iran are both at the top of the Group A table after achieving opening victories.

The Iranian squad on Sunday defeated hosts Uzbekistan 1-0 in injury time in the opening game of the fourth round of the AFC 2014 World Cup qualification tournament.

Iran, South Korea, Qatar, Lebanon, and Uzbekistan are in Group A. The top two teams from the group will advance to the World Cup finals directly.