Jordan tame Syria to reach Asian Cup knockouts
Abu DhAbi: Hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) closed in on a place in the last 16 at the Asian Cup 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, who watched as Syria lost 2-0 and was given his marching orders shortly afterwards.
“The Syrian Arab Football Federation has decided to dismiss coach Bernd Stange,” said a statement on the organisation’s Facebook page on Thursday, 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. They recovered to beat Bahrain 1-0 on Thursday.
However, Jordan’s win made them the first team to book their place in the knockout stages, following their upset of defending champions Australia.
In Abu Dhabi, Khalfan Mubarak and Ali Mabkhout were on target for the Emiratis, who were fortunate to scrape a 1-1 draw in their curtain-raiser against Bahrain after a controversial late penalty last Saturday.
“The Bahrain result was a disappointment and I humbly apologised to the fans,” said UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni, who steered Japan to the Asian Cup title in 2011.
“But the players showed great spirit and willpower tonight and we deserved the victory. It’s important to grow into the tournament.”
India captain Sunil Chhetri overtook Lionel Messi in international goals as the Blue Tigers stunned Thailand 4-1 in their opening game to earn comparisons with Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli for his heroics.
Jordan have claimed a perfect six points after first-half goals from Mousa Mohammad Suleiman and Tareq Khattab earned their 2-0 win over Syria in a tempestuous Group B clash.
In Dubai, “Thai Messi” Chanathip Songkrasin fired the Thais to only their second-ever Asian Cup win to reignite their hopes, smashing in a first-time shot that rocketed past Sayed Shubbar Alawi in the Bahrain goal.