- Goalkeeper Mahdi Khalil spectacular throughout Qatar 2022 qualifiers
- Just one objective conceded in 4 video games
- The Cedars at the moment second in Group H
Lebanon is a Mediterranean nation identified for its geographic range, significantly the excessive mountain ranges within the east and west that stretch in parallel strains virtually your complete size of the nation.
But Lebanon has yet one more towering “mountain” within the type of gifted keeper Mahdi Khalil, who has made his objective an impenetrable fortress by holding clear sheets in his nation’s final three matches within the AFC qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
The 1.96 m shot-stopper spoke solely to FIFA.com about his nation’s qualifying marketing campaign, through which the Cedars at the moment lie second in Group H on seven factors, degree with Korea Republic, the place the remaining group video games will all be held within the coming weeks.
The 29-year-old described the qualifiers as “difficult” because they “include a strong team like Korea Republic and very sophisticated sides like Turkmenistan.”
Asked concerning the secret behind his distinctive performances within the qualifiers, the place he has solely conceded one objective in 4 matches, Khalil replied with amusing, saying: “There isn’t any secret, actually. It’s easy, I practice with loads of enthusiasm and work exhausting to realize constructive outcomes. It’s a blessing from God, and I hope I’ll proceed to do nicely each at membership and nationwide degree.”
Accumulating expertise
Khalil started his soccer journey in Sierra Leone as a 12-year-old earlier than happening mortgage for 2 skilled stints to Sweden. In 2013, he moved to Lebanon to hitch Safa SC, the place he gained the Lebanese league twice, earlier than persevering with his success there with Al Ahed Club with one other two league titles.
Khalil performed his half in Lebanon’s qualification for the Asian Cup in 2019, the identical yr he helped Al Ahed turn out to be the primary Lebanese membership to win the AFC Cup, choosing up the event’s MVP award within the course of. Interest adopted from IR Iran’s Zob Ahan, who took him on mortgage at the start of final yr.
Asked concerning the huge expertise gained up to now in his profession, the participant often called ‘The Mountain’ mentioned: “Winning the AFC Cup with Al Ahed helped me enhance my efficiency. I used to be additionally named the Most Valuable Player with the assistance of my team-mates, who performed brilliantly and contributed to the success.
“In every match I play, whether for club or country, I gain new experiences, but the most important thing for me as a player is to be physically and mentally alert so as to give my best in every game.”
Regarding his transfer to IR Iran, he mentioned: “The starting of my expertise was good, and I realized an amazing deal from enjoying in opposition to huge groups there. I matured significantly, and that was mirrored in my performances. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the dying of my father, I used to be affected psychologically and emotionally. Everything was turned on its head, and the expertise ended abruptly.”
© imago photos
Tough confrontations forward
Khalil might be one of many key crew members coach Jamal Taha might be counting on for Lebanon’s subsequent three matches within the Qatar 2022 qualifiers: Sri Lanka (5 June), Turkmenistan (9 June) and Korea Republic (13 June).
The keeper, who welcomed his first little one final week, mentioned: “We have three matches left, two of which might be excessive degree encounters. We should do our greatest in these video games to hopefully acquire 9 factors and preserve alive our possibilities of advancing to the following spherical.
“I don’t think our mission is impossible, but at the same time it’s not easy, and we have to fight until the last minute. If we have the utmost faith in ourselves and our abilities, we can achieve our goals and get closer to the World Cup.”
Personal problem
Lebanon’s remaining fixture might be in opposition to hosts Korea Republic, who’ve an array of high professionals of their ranks led by Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heungmin. As it occurs, Khalil has confronted Son earlier than and prevented him from scoring in a match at Beirut Sports City Stadium on 14 November 2019.
“I’ve performed in opposition to South Korea twice earlier than. I carried out nicely, and I feel these two matches had been the perfect of my profession,” he mentioned.
“The Koreans have many top players, and this gives me a huge incentive to perform really well and show my abilities. Facing stars who play in the top European leagues is a personal challenge for me,” he mentioned on the finish of dialog.
Khalil’s supreme confidence is another excuse why the Lebanese consider they will nonetheless attain the third and decisive spherical of qualifiers for Qatar 2022. After all, they’ve a ‘Mountain’ they will lean on.
