A tie that binds for Syrians everywhere
Fans pack streets to celebrate soccer squad’s draw with Iran
TEHRAN, IRAN— Syria scored deep into stoppage time at Iran to keep alive its hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time amid an ongoing civil war at home.
With Syria facing elimination from Asian qualifying, Omar al-Soma marked his return to the team after a five-year absence to clinch a 2-2 draw and a place in the playoffs.
In other action Tuesday, a goalless draw away to Uzbekistan was enough for South Korea to clinch a World Cup berth. The South Koreans hit the woodwork twice in the first half, but endured some nervy moments in the second against Uzbekistan, which was in contention to make its first World Cup appearance.
When the final whistle blew, several South Korean players sank to the ground in relief before celebrating. South Korea had risked missing the World Cup for the first time since 1982 after a campaign which included upset losses to Qatar and China.
Players, with “Syria” rather than names emblazoned across the back of their red jerseys, also sank to their knees after their match in Tehran. From the bench, members of the team’s staff with flags streamed onto the field.
Back home, the pursuit of a place at the World Cup in Russia has provided a flicker of joy in parts of a country divided by six years of war. Big screens were erected in public squares the Syrian capital Damascus for public screenings and fans also packed into coffee shops and sports halls to watch the broadcast from Iran.
Thousands of dancing fans filtered onto the streets of Damascus chanting “Syria” and waving the country’s flags, bringing traffic to a complete halt in the city centre.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” said Bashir Rahal, a 26-year old, who was watching the game in a Damascus hotel, with the country’s flag on a table in front of him.
Outside, the skies lit up with pyrotechnics, some launching red tracers above the thousands of revelers who filled the streets, leaning out of their car windows or marching in the city centre. The upbeat news from the country’s soccer team came on the same day troops reached Deir elZour, in eastern Syria, breaching a months-old siege on government troops by Daesh militants.
Qualification could have been automatically clinched with a victory in Iran, which had nothing to play for after already securing its place in Russia. Now Syria will have to qualify the hard way for its first trip to the FIFA showcase.
To make the World Cup, the playoff winner will then have to beat a team form the CONCACAF confederation covering North and Central America, and the Caribbean.