Lebanon 7 (Mustafa Rhayem 1’, 23’, Majd Hamouch 3’, Steve Koukezian 13’, Ali Hamam 28’, Mario Abou Jaoude 29’, Mohamad Kobeissi 38’)
defeated
India 4 (David Laltlansanga 8’, Fredsan Marsshal 19’, Nikhil Mali 20’, Aman Shah 30’)

AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s futsal team suffered their second successive defeat to Lebanon, losing 4-7 in their second friendly at the Al Sadaka Sporting Complex in Beirut, on Monday, September 15, 2025.

David Laltlansanga (8’), Fredsan Marshall (19’), Nikhil Mali (20’), and Aman Shah (30’) found the net for India, who once again showed flashes of potential but were unable to outlast a vastly more experienced Lebanon side, ranked 81 places above them in the FIFA futsal men’s rankings.

Under coach Reza Kordi, the Futsal Tigers are using these friendlies to prepare for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Although they had lost the first match 2-7, the second encounter was a far more competitive affair as India put up a better performance, particularly in the attacking third.

Lebanon started strongly with two early goals from Mustafa Rhayem (1’) and Majd Hamouch (3’), but India hit back through Laltlansanga. Steve Koukezian (13’) extended the lead before Marsshal and Mali drew India level at the stroke of half-time.

After the break, Lebanon responded with clinical precision, scoring three quick goals, before Shah gave India a glimmer of hope in the 30th minute by reducing the margin. However, Mohamad Kobeissi’s (38’) late strike sealed the result for Lebanon.

India now head to Kuwait, where they face the hosts (Sept 20), Australia (Sept 22), and Mongolia (Sept 24) in Group A of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers.