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SCMP Reporter

HONGKONG had to settle for a 2-2 draw after surrendering a two-goal lead against home side Lebanon in their World Cup qualifying match in Beirut last night.

 Eastern midfielder Tam Siu-wai gave the territory a perfect start to their Group D match with a 13th-minute goal and South China winger Loh Wai-Chi made it 2-0 six minutes later.

 But Lebanon clawed their way back into the game a minute before the interval with a goal from Rafi Joulfagi.

 And with only 10 minutes remaining, Fadi Allouch grabbed the equaliser to ruin Hongkong's hopes of grabbing a huge psychological advantage over favourites South Korea who were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by Bahrain earlier.

 Hongkong are still top of the group with three points from their two matches, having beaten Bahrain 2-1 on Friday in the first match of the tournament.

 Lebanon are a point behind after two draws.

 Hongkong's next game is against India tomorrow with what looks likely to be the crunch match against the Koreans on Saturday.

 South Korea made an unimpressive start to their qualifying campaign against Bahrain.

 The Koreans, who have reached the finals stage of the last two World Cup tournaments, created only one goal-scoring chance.

 Substitute Lee Qi-bum, who had come on for injured striker Hwangbo Kwan after just 28 minutes, put a point-blank header over the bar early in the second half with his team's only real opportunity.

 At the other end, Bahrain were also shy in front of goal in a dour battle.

 The draw was an embarrassment for Korean coach Kim Ho, who before the tournament predicted his team would win every match.

 South Korea were tipped by Hongkong coach Chan Hung-ping to win the group and, only two days ago, he wrote off his own team's chances of toppling them.

 Meanwhile, the Zambian World Cup soccer team air tragedy could mean former England international John Fashanu missing Wimbledon's visit to Hongkong to play Michelotti at Mongkok Stadium on Saturday.

 Fashanu travels to Zambia today to attend funeral services for the Zambian players killed in last month's air crash.

 The 29-year-old forward, of Nigerian parentage but born in London, has been appointed English FA representative for the funeral.

 But he may have difficulties finding a flight from Zambia to Hongkong.

 Michelotti are to field three overseas guest players in the friendly match against the English Premier League side - Queen's Park Rangers' Garry Thompson, elder brother of Ernest Borel's Keith; Spurs' captain Gary Mabbutt; and Eastern goalkeeper Iain Hesford.

 The Hongkong FA are facing an increasingly large fixture backlog after yesterday's First Division clash between British Forces and struggling Kui Tan was rained off at Shamshuipo Sports Ground.

 There are now three games to be rescheduled but the Hongkong FA are confident that all three can be completed before the Hongkong World Cup team leaves for the second series of Group D qualifiers in Seoul on June 3 or 4.

  Manchester United, crowned English champions last Sunday, completed their campaign with a 2-1 victory at Wimbledon yesterday.

 Aston Villa's late-season woes continued when they were beaten 2-1 at Queen's Park Rangers. The result means United finish 10 points ahead of Villa.

 United went ahead after 63 minutes through midfielder Paul Ince and increased that lead seven minutes later through club captain Bryan Robson - the man Ince has been groomed to take over from.

 First Division champions Newcastle also signed off in style, beating Leicester 7-1.

 In other English news, Liverpool ended speculation that they were about to dismiss Graeme Souness when they announced yesterday he would remain as manager.

More soccer: Page 23 



Hongkong stay top of World Cup group