AL AIN, UAE, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon, who started their second AFC Asian Cup tour here on Wedensday, lost 2-0 to Qatar in Group E.

Qatar's two goals were scored in the second half of the match by strikers Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali, putting the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts on equal footing with Saudi Arabia at the top of Group E with three points each.

The Lebanese team still showed determination and organization and featured a strong encounter against the Qataris whose patience, persistence and maturity had the upper hand.

In the last five confrontations between Qatar and Lebanon before Wednesday's match, the Qataris won four while the other match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Lebanon's first Asian Cup tour came in 2000 when they were the hosts.

Qatar attended the Asian Cup nine times before the 2019 edition which is running in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1.

Qatar had hosted the tournament twice in 1988 and 2011.