Tajikistan beat 10-man Lebanon to qualify for Asian Cup last 16

AL RAYYAN, Qatar :Asian Cup debutants Tajikistan qualified for the last 16 in dramatic fashion when they came from behind to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 victory over 10-man Lebanon in Group A after scoring their first ever goals in the tournament on Monday.

The result moved Tajikistan up to second place on four points, behind group toppers Qatar who beat China 1-0 in the other game.

Tajikistan had two goals ruled out for offside by VAR but after Lebanon had Kassem El-Zein sent off in the second half, late strikes from skipper Parvizdzhon Umarbayev and Nuriddin Khamrokulov gave Petar Segrt's side a memorable win.

"I want to congratulate all the players. It was a fantastic game, a tough game. Twice VAR made the right decision but mentally it's difficult to come back from that," Segrt told reporters.

"This shows that these players have fight (in them), they are ready to do everything for the country. I want to congratulate all Tajikistan people, this is something special."

After a goalless first half, Lebanon took the lead two minutes after the restart when Bassel Jradi curled a shot from the edge of the box past the outstretched hand of keeper Rustam Yatimov to bring the crowd to their feet.

But Lebanon were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when El-Zein was sent off after a stamp for which he initially received a yellow card before VAR asked the referee to take a second look and it was upgraded to red.

Tajikistan thought they had scored their first goal at the Asian Cup - twice - but a deflected strike from Shervoni Mabatshoev and a goal from Alisher Dzhalilov were both ruled out by VAR for offside in the buildup.

But Tajikistan did not let up and scored the equaliser through Umarbayev as the skipper found the top corner from a