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LONDON: Lebanon coach Miodrag Radulovic believes ��������Ƶ are among the favorites to win the 2019 Asian Cup but insists his side will not roll over for the Green Falcons next January.
��������Ƶ join Lebanon, Qatar and North Korea in Group E, with Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men widely tipped to progress to the last-16 as group winners.
The Green Falcons lifted the trophy last time it was hosted on UAE soil in 1996, but have failed to add a fourth title since — finishing as runners-up in both 2000 and 2007.
However Radulovic, who has been doing his homework on ��������Ƶ, watching all three of their matches at this summer’s World Cup, is convinced they can go all the way this time.
“I went to see ��������Ƶ in Russia and although the first game did not go well, they improved with every match,” Radulovic told Arab News.
“The first game was very surprising to me because those who saw ��������Ƶ in qualifying would have been expecting a much better performance.
“But against Uruguay and then particularly against Egypt, they showed what a good team they are. They work very hard and there are a lot of talented players.
“��������Ƶ will be a very dangerous opponent and for sure will be one of the favorites to win the Asian Cup.”
Lebanon begin their Asian Cup campaign against Qatar at Al-Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Jan. 9, with ��������Ƶ opening against North Korea at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai a day earlier.
Radulovic’s side face off against Pizzi’s in the second game on Jan. 12 and despite being impressed with what he has seen of the Green Falcons, the Montenegrin feels Lebanon have what it takes to ruffle some feathers in Group E.
“Yes, ��������Ƶ are probably the favorites to win the group right now, but it is still more than four months until the start of the tournament,” Radulovic said.
“Nobody knows in January what will happen.
“It is a difficult group, of course. Qatar also have very big ambitions as they are hosting the next World Cup, and North Korea have a good history having played in the 2010 World Cup.
“We know it is a big challenge to face these teams but our preparation is still ongoing and I think we will only get better. I am very hopeful of our chances at the Asian Cup.”
Lebanon sit in 79th place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, making them the ninth best team in Asia on paper. But they are still seen by many as major outsiders, having never previously qualified for the Asian Cup.
As hosts of the 2000 edition of the competition, the Cedars came bottom of a group containing Iran, Iraq and Thailand. In 2019, though, Radulovic is optimistic that Lebanon can make a bigger impact.
“It is great to be in this competition and we are proud to have qualified but at the Asian Cup the teams are equal,” the Montenegrin said.
“We will try to show everybody that our hard work has been worth it. We will not be there as tourists and we will fight for every goal and every point.
“I think we will represent Lebanese football very well.”