**Kyrgyzstan U-20 Falls to Lebanon in AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifier**
The Kyrgyzstan U-20 national football team opened its AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification campaign with a 3-2 loss to Lebanon on September 3. The match was held at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.
Lebanon established an early 2-0 lead during the first half. Kyrgyzstan narrowed the deficit in stoppage time before the break when Aktan Abdikalilov scored in the 47th minute.
In the second half, Kyrgyzstan increased pressure on the Lebanese defense, eventually equalizing the score at 2-2 with a goal from Ilya Bondarenko in the 94th minute. However, in the final moments of the match, Lebanon was awarded a penalty kick, which they successfully converted to secure a 3-2 victory.
This match marks the first game for the Kyrgyzstan U-20 team in the qualification tournament. Group A also includes South Korea; in a previous match held on August 31, South Korea defeated Lebanon with an identical score of 3-2.
Kyrgyzstan is scheduled to play its final group stage match against South Korea on September 6. The qualification tournament features 44 national teams divided into 11 groups, all competing for spots in the final stage of the continental championship.
Article and image source: vb.kg
