Lebanon 1-1 Korea Republic

AFC – BEIRUT,  Kim Chi-woo’s deflected free-kick deep into stoppage time earned Korea Republic a 1-1 draw against Lebanon on Tuesday to join Uzbekistan at the top of Group A and remain on course for an eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Hassan Maatouk’s 12th minute strike and the heroics of goalkeeper Abbas Hassan appeared to have handed Lebanon victory at Sports City Stadium.

But with less than a minute remaining, Kim Chi-woo struck to lift Korea to the top of Group A alongside Uzbekistan ahead of a crucial meeting between the pair in Seoul next week with Iran just a point adrift with two games remaining in the final round following their 1-0 win over Qatar.

Needing a victory to keep their slim qualification hopes alive, Lebanon made the ideal start as the Korean defence could only partially clear Mohamad Haidar’s cross and Maatouk was first to react and the striker fired low past goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to open the scoring after 12 minutes.

The home side, though, were fortunate to maintain their slender lead at half-time with only the heroics of goalkeeper Hassan keeping Korea, and in particular Lee Chung-yong, at bay.

Korea continued to dominate in the second half and were again unlucky not to equalise with 18 minutes remaining as a header from defender Kwak Tae-hwi slammed into the post.

And the visitors hit the woodwork against nine minutes later as Lee Dong-gook followed up after Lebanon goalkeeper Hassan had denied Kim Shin-wook.

But in the last of seven added minutes, Kim Chi-woo’s free-kick deflected off the defensive wall before finally finding a way past Hassan to end Lebanon’s qualification hopes.