Lebanon will be taking on Malaysia in the second round of the 2012 London Olympics men’s football qualifying tournament for Asia, with the Malaysians feeling slightly uneasy with their match-up:
“We have to play against one of the heavyweights (seeded teams) and Lebanon are no exception even though, strangely, we hold a higher ranking (138th against 169th) than them,” said coach Ong Kim Swee after the draw at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday [March 30].
“Lebanon gave a strong showing in the qualifying rounds for the last Olympics (in Beijing in 2008). I have been told that they have also beaten Syria and Qatar in friendly matches. My immediate task is to do some research and gather information on the Lebanese Olympic side. I need to get some insight on our opponents before I get to work with my boys.”
The first match will be played in Beirut on June 19 with a return match in Kuala Lumpur on June 23.