BEIRUT. Oct 9 (AFP) A worldwide hunt for football talent has left hosts Lebanon ambitiously eyeing a place in the knock-out st.ip-s o| the Asian Cup

Lebanese football chiefs have cast their net far and wide around (he globe in an attempt to uncover footballers eligible to play.

Brazilian. Colombian and Australian Lebanese expatriates have all been drafted In for squad training during (he past 12 months, although It is not clear how many ol the foreign legion will make the final squad.

Nevertheless skipper Jamal Taha believes the Infusion of new blood will help give the home fans something to cheer about.

"Our goal Is to go to the second round — that's our first goal." Taha said.

"We know every team has its limits but small teams can always beat bigger teams. If we get to the second round many things will change and with our support we will concentrate on reaching the semi-finals."

Reaching the last four would be a massive achievement for Lebanon, who have never previously reached the finals of the Asian Cup. The Lebanese play Iran. Iraq and Thailand in Group One.

The host nation's poor record at international level prompted the worldwide search for players of Lebanese descent, capable of bolstering the home team's campaign.

But Taha admits the policy was not popular with established players in the Lebanon squad. At first the Lebanese players did not accept the situation." he said

But alter a meeting with the federation. everything was okay. They explained to the players how much these people would help Lebanon in this tournament we all agree that the best players should play, no matter where they are from."

Ilie policy has had a few practical glitches (hough, with the language barrier causing problems at a recent training

camp.

"The first tew days were dit-Ikull.” Talia revealed. "Language was a big problem. The Brazilian players only spoke Portuguese, not even any English. which is the language of football.

"Two of the Brazilian players are defenders so it's important for them to he able to column-uicah* with the goalkeeper. and at the start there problems But they're now learning Arabic. Taha added

FIXTURES

Group One

Oct 12 — Iraq v Thailand. Lebanon v Iran, Beirut

Oct 15 Iran v Thailand. Beirut

Lebanon v Iraq. Beirut

Oct 18 Iran v Iraq. Saida Lebanon v Thailand. Beirut Group Two

Oct 13 South Korea v China, Tripoli

Kuwait v Indonesia, Tripoli Oct 16 — China v Indonesia. Tripoli

South Korea v Kuwait. Tripoli Oct 19 — China v Kuwait. Tripoli

South Korea v Indonesia. Beirut

Group Three

Oct 14 — Saudi Arabia v Japan. Saida

Qatar v Uzbekistan, Saida Oct 17 — Japan v Uzbekistan. Saida

Saudi Arabia v Qatar. Saida

Oct 20 — Saudi Arabia v Uzbekistan, Saida Japan v Qatar. Beirut Quarterfinals

Oct 23 — (1) Winner Group One v 3rd Group Two or Three. Tripoli

12) Winner Group Two v 3rd Group One or Three. Saida

□cl 24 — (3) Winner Group Three v 2nd Group One. Beirut 41 2nd Group Two v 2nd Group Three. Beirut Semifinals

Del 26 — Winner 1st quarterfinal v Winner 4th quarterfinal. Beirut

— Winner 2nd quarterfinal v Winner 3rd quarterfinal. Beirut Third-place play-off

3ct 29 — Semifinal losers, Bel-nt

Final

)cf 29 — Semifinal winners. Beirut

Satellite television Channel i will show the Asian Cup matches live.