Syrians sack Stange

HOSTS United Arab Emirates closed in on a place in the last 16 at the Asian Cup on Thursday as coach Bernd Stange paid the price for Syria’s defeat to Jordan, becoming the second managerial casualty in just six days of competition.

UAE survived a hairy start to beat India 2-0 but it was a bleak night for the well-travelled Stange, 70, (above) who watched as Syria lost 2-0 and was given his marching orders afterwards.

“The Syrian Arab Football Federation has decided to dismiss coach Bernd Stange,” said a statement on the organisation’s Face- book page, adding that former national coach Fajr Ibrahim would take charge for the final Group B game against Australia.

Stange follows Thailand’s Milovan Rajevac to the exit, after the Serb was dismissed following the War Elephants’ 4-1 defeat to India.

Thailand recovered from the loss to defeat Bahrain 1-0 on Thursday.

However, Jordan’s win made them the first team to book their place in the knockout stages, following their 1-0 upset of defending Asian Cup champions Australia.