War-torn Syria remain positive and eye place in Finals
MELAKA: A qualifying campaign that has defied civil war and internal splits has brought Syria within sight of a miraculous World Cup berth – if they can overcome Asian champions Australia.
Syria were given little chance of making an impact in Asia’s qualifiers but after reaching the regional playoffs, they stand four games away from Russia 2018.
Playing their “home” fixtures in Malaysia because of their country’s civil war, Syria face Australia in Melaka today (8.30pm), before the return leg in Sydney next Tuesday.
The winners go into a two-legged clash with the fourth-placed team from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) – cur- rently the United States.
On their way to today’s game in Melaka, Syria have scrapped to hardfought draws against heavyweights South Korea and Iran, and wins over China, Uzbekistan and Qatar.
Coach Ayman al-Hakim has forged a resilient unit who have an added goal threat since the return from the sidelines of forward Firas al-Khatib, who had voiced support for the Syrian rebellion and sharpshooter Omar al-Soma, whose long absence was also believed to be for political reasons.
“Reaching the Asian playoff is almost a miracle, no one expected us to reach this stage given the tough circumstances we face in our country,” Al-Hakim said.
“It shows the will that the Syrians have and their ability to achieve the impossible. We hope to fulfil the dream of reaching the World Cup. It’s the dream of every Syrian, every member of our team, whether the players, coaches, officials.”
Syria, ranked 75th, have never reached the World Cup before and they needed Soma’s injury-time equaliser against Iran last month to take them into the Asian playoffs.
Al-Soma’s breakaway goal to make it 2-2 in the 93rd minute in Teheran left an excited Syrian TV commentator sobbing with happiness as he shouted his celebrations for two minutes.
But the team are not without controversy, backed by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who remains in power despite a conflict which has since killed more than 320,000 people and displaced millions.
When Syria played in Singapore in the early stages of qualifying, former head coach Fajr Ibrahim and midfielder Osama Omari fronted a press conference wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the image of a smiling Al-Assad.
Al-Soma and Al-Khatib had been absent since voicing their support for the rebels fighting Al-Assad’s forces but their return this year under Al-Hakim has galvanised the Qasioun Eagles.
Al-Soma is rated as one of Asia’s best strikers, while fellow marksman Omar Khribin bagged a hattrick for his Saudi club, Al Hilal, in their 4-0 win over Iran’s Persepolis in the first leg of their AFC Champions League semi-final.— AFP