Riyadh: United Arab Emirates overcame the concession of an early goal to storm to an emphatic 6-1 win over Lebanon in their opening AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 Qualifiers on Friday.
An upset loomed when the talented Fouad Eid put Milic Curcic's Lebanon side in front in the 16th minute, but the Emiratis came storming back to lead by half-time, and powered to victory as Zayed Al Ameri netted a hat-trick.
Eid's opener gave Lebanon the early lead, but it lasted just 13 minutes, as Al Ameri scored the equaliser on 29 minutes, and Majid Al Mehrzi scored three minutes before half-time to ensure Maciej Skorza's men went into the break in front.
After half-time it was one-way traffic, with Mohammed Al Hammadi making it 3-1 in the 55th minute, before Al Ameri scored a penalty on the hour-mark, and the Al Jazira FC youngster completed his treble with a goal from open play nine minutes later.
Jassim Yaqoob brought up UAE's half-dozen in the 79th minute, but a late second yellow card to Khalifa Al Hammadi ensured they would finish the match with 10 men, and will be without the defender for Sunday's match against Maldives, while Lebanon take on Saudi Arabia.
Photos: Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Source: the-afc.com