Lebanon finishes as runner-up in West Asia U-17 Championship

Lebanon’s under-17 national football team has clinched second place in the 12th West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship, after a tense final against Saudi Arabia that ended in heartbreak. In the heat of Aqaba, Jordan, Lebanon’s U17 national football team delivered a performance that mixed grit, structure, and spirit. The road to the final was anything but easy. In a tense semifinal derby, Lebanon eliminated Syria after a dramatic 1–1 draw and a nerve-wracking 4–3 win on penalties, earning their ticket to the final.

A hard-fought semifinal

Lebanon opened the scoring early through Youssef Badran in the 12th minute, a move built from a fluid three-touch attack that sliced through Syria’s defence. Compact in shape and sharp in transition, the Cedars dictated the rhythm in the first half through coordinated pressing and disciplined fullback play.

Syria responded after the break, intensifying duels and finding an equalizer that tested Lebanon’s defensive mettle. The final half hour turned into a tactical standoff, substitutions, tight lines, and calculated risk management defined the play.

When it came down to penalties, the young Cedars showed impressive composure. Goalkeeper Jason Feninos pulled off a crucial save, while Lebanon’s shooters converted four of their spot-kicks with precision, sealing a 4–3 win and a burst of celebration on the Lebanese bench.

A bright future ahead

Though the final ended in heartbreak, Lebanon’s U17s have made a powerful statement on the regional stage. With Badran’s clinical finishing, Feninos’ steady hands, and a collective discipline rare at this age level, the team showcased a foundation on which Lebanese football can build. The Cedars leave Aqaba with silver medals, and a growing sense that this generation might just be the one to reshape the country’s football story.