Asian Cup 2019: Syria (Preview)

A single goal, that’s all that stood in the way of Syria qualifying for the World Cup over the summer, narrowly missing out on writing one of the most extraordinary tales of underdog achievement in modern day football. The fact that this team qualified for the Asian Cup, should be considered a monumental achievement in its own right, given the civil war that ravages the country at the minute, their forced nomad status alongside their politically split identity. Through the trouble, comes a football team that has illustrated they can compete at the very top of Asia.

To address, or rather avoid the elephant in the room; to whether the national team, does or doesn’t represent the Assad regime that splits Syria daily is a political topic that can be spun and discussed for days. The return of players opposed to the government has done little to remove heat from the country’s hierarchy. However, the underpinning behind many of the statements from those involved, is that the team represents the Syrian people first and foremost over any political allegiance, something that needs to be keenly focussed upon as we approach the Asian Cup.

On a purely footballing basis, the last cycle has been gruelling. Having ground hopped from Oman to Malaysia, in search of a temporary home, whilst failing to secure worthwhile friendlies or training camps, Syria have made the best of the resources they’ve had at their disposal. The dogged, workmanlike side that started qualification has blossomed into a credible attacking line-up that pushed Asian champions Australia into extra-time for a chance to play on the grandest stages of them all.

Back when the initial qualifying draw was made, Syria became the hipster’s choice of many to make the latter rounds, both for a favourable set of opponents, and the prospect of deploying the hottest striker in the Middle East, Omar Al-Somah. While the latter took time to come into force, the former was illustrated immediately; flying by the likes of Singapore, Afghanistan and Cambodia comfortably, while only dropping points to continental heavyweights Japan, Syria stole a march on their equals, qualifying for the Asian Cup at the earliest opportunity.

The formulation of a top Asian footballing side only really started in latter qualification under Ayman Hakeem, as Syria relocated bases to Malaysia. Setting up initially as the typical underdog, fully utilising a cow paddock of a pitch (drawing against Iran and South Korea), Syria built up a much more succinct game plan, going on to win memorably away in China, before clinching the most prized of equalisers on the final day in the Azadi, to nudge them over the line to the final World Cup playoffs.

While the core of the side became the bedrock of their success, from centre back Omar Al-Midani, through busy wide man Mohammed Al-Mawas, to striking revelation Omar Khribin, who went on to score ten in qualifying before being named Asian Player of the Year, the next stage of their progress was sealed upon the players they welcomed back. National team captain Faris Al-Khattib, a player who had been in self-imposed exile from the national team given his opposition to the Syrian government, put political difference aside for his nation’s hope of qualifying for the World Cup. While his impact on play wasn’t as great as some could’ve hoped for, the moral boost throughout the squad took flight.

In terms of demonstrable aid, the key was enticing Omar Al-Somah back to international football. The physical striker, who has recorded an unrivalled goal-to-game ratio over the last few seasons for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, was reportedly interesting his employer’s nation, before Syria were able to snare his choice. While injury set back his return, the equaliser away in Iran, followed by both goals against Australia in the playoffs, illustrates what a key focal point he is to this side.

Combination play between him and Khribin, now at Saudi domestic rivals Al-Hilal has the potential to create havoc for any Asian defence. While Al-Somah’s form has remained constant, Khribin’s stock has stuttered somewhat since winning his AFC gong in 2017; suffering from several injuries, lacking minutes and eventual poor form. His use, as a support striker to Al-Somah has also damaged his output for the national team, an area of the squad’s tactical vision that needs to be honed ahead of the Asian Cup.

That tactical vision, is now in the hands of German coach Bernd Stange, who remarkably came out of retirement to take the reins of Syria on the run up to January. Having carved out a varied career, that included spells with another war-torn nation Iraq, and most recently with Singapore, Stange is both experienced at continental level and knows how to get the best out of limited resources.

Prospects are difficult to assess after a year of transition, but the target of making it out of the group stage for the first time in their history will be their main ambition. In an even group alongside Jordan and Palestine, tactical tweaking on the run up may be what it takes to see them edge over the line. Mixed friendly results since World Cup heartbreak, tell only half a story, given Syria usually bring their A-game to the biggest stage. No bigger of course than that tie against Australia. Come the final game of the group, Syria set up a rematch of their blockbuster Sydney playoff of last year, which’ll no doubt send a shiver down the spine of the reigning Asian champions.

While it’s been over two years since Syria ensured qualification for the UAE, expectations also need to be put into perspective. A nation that has gone through such turmoil for years, without a successful footballing heritage as a base, let alone the resources to create one, should be celebrated in what it’s achieved thus far, even if their final result, goes someway to exceeding their underdog tag.

Key Men

Head Coach - Bernd Stange (GER)

Former head coach of Iraq, whilst the nation was at war, Stange became Syria’s first foreign coach in 7 years, succeeding the successful and well liked Ayman Hakeem at the end of qualification. An eccentric character, who has coaching experience in Oman and Australia, Stange has made a solid start to his spell in charge of Syria but has yet to be tested in competitive play.

Star Player - Omar Al-Somah

Imperious striker, who’s long overdue call up nearly pushed Syria over the line in World Cup qualification. Boasts an incredible scoring record in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ahli, a country that tried to lure him to their national side two years ago; the physical striker, likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic is most dangerous in the air and from direct set-pieces. Could’ve joined Nottingham Forest in 2012, but for work permit difficulties.

Cult Favourite - Mahmoud Al Mawas

A busy winger, who’s displays in qualification epitomised the successful nature of Syria’s run to the World Cup qualification playoffs. Diminutive in stature and adept at the late run, who’s played much of his career in Kuwait and Bahrain, Al-Mawas was the scorer of their memorable winning goal away in China, to swing the group in their favour.

Young Prospect - Ahmed Ashkar 

One of only a few younger players to break through during qualification. An integral figure for Syria at the recent U23 Asian Cup and Asian Games campaigns. A box-to-box midfielder who particularly caught the eye in Al-Jaish’s impressive AFC Cup campaign earlier this year, Ashkar made his first senior start for Syria in October.

WC Qualifying Review (Round 3 MD9 & 10)

It’s been a lengthy process, but two and a half years later from once we began, we have finished the automatic stage of Asian World Cup qualification. Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia joined Iran as Asia’s four guaranteed representatives in Russia next summer, while we have yet another tangible chance of representation with outsiders Syria joining Australia in the playoff rounds before the year is out. For much of the predictability that had come before, September’s batch of qualifiers were a feast for the eyes, here’s my look back at the winners and losers from the week.

The Player

Arguably the longest reaching story of this round of World Cup qualification has been Syria’s progress over the campaign. Despite being tipped to perform by Asian football fans back in 2015, I doubt few of us who made such claims thought they’d ever have a realistic shot at a place in Russia, which they have now engineered themselves with an appearance in the WCQ playoffs. Critics may question their style of play, but their dogged defensive tactics were given a reboot this last week, scoring more than 1 away from home for the first time (breaking a previously impenetrable Iran defence twice) while recording their first non-1-0 win of the stage with a 3-1 win against Qatar on Thursday.

One player’s return can be attributed to their improved fortunes in attack, that of Omar Al-Somah. The hottest striker in the Middle East, Al-Somah’s refusal to accept a call up for Syria were well known, but over the summer the enticing news spread that a return was imminent. In his first two appearances in Syrian red, his presence was instantly felt; the team could set up with a focal point which could help the ball stick. Shifting previous lone frontman Omar Khribin out wide worked wonders (scoring the first two against Qatar), while Al-Somah’s threat was sometimes too much to ignore even when he hadn’t got the ball (see Al-Mawas’ poorly defended goal to end that match).

Al-Somah proved his goalscoring threat away at the Azadi, against the best side in Asia, who hadn’t been breached in this round of qualification. A trademark Ronaldo-esc free kick was too hot to handle for Iranian keeper Beiranvand, slipping it to Khribin for the opener, while his last minute leveller sparked scenes of delirium from the bench as Syria ensured progression. There’s a long way to go yet, with Australia followed by an intercontinental playoff (possibly with a headline grabbing encounter against USA) to come, but with Al-Somah now leading the hunt in attack, this is far from the cautious Syrian side that started qualification.

The Team

When Bert van Marwijk took the reigns of the Saudi Arabia national team at the start of qualifying in 2015, I amongst many were admittedly skeptical of his ability to stabilise a notoriously difficult yet talented set of players to compete with the likes of Japan and Australia for a return to the World Cup after XX years away. In the end I was proven spectacularly wrong, with van Marwijk harnessing the true qualities of his squad to clinch qualification in the last match of the series, beating Japan in Jeddah on Tuesday.

After a stuttering start to the final stage of qualification, Saudi bubbled under the radar for much of this campaign, many assuming they wouldn’t be able to keep up their ominous run of form that clawed them over the line. Aside from the undoubted team effort and tactical masterclass from their Dutch coach there were more than the odd player who stood up and rose to the occasion.

Nawaf Al-Abed morphed from flamboyant but erratic playmaker into clinical match winner, scoring X amount of goals and crucially laying on the winner against Japan. Fahad Al-Muwallad, that historic goalscorer has started to live up to his undoubted potential, while defensively Al-Hilal stalwarts Salman Al-Faraj and Osama Hawsawi have taken responsibility, when before they often crumbled. Surely the Hawsawi badge of calamity can now be retired?

A year of euphoria and pride is to come as we inch towards Russia and a historic return for the Green Falcons. While some Asian fans will take this as just reward for van Marwijk and the national team, pressure will again be undoubtedly be on them from their home support to contest at the highest level. While on paper their squad is a notch below that of what they can hope to compete with, you wouldn’t count out Al-Abed and co to grasp their chance of a life time at next year’s grandest stage.

The Talking Point

Going into the final fixture goal difference was always likely to play a huge part in who would join Japan from Group A at next summer’s World Cup, yet after being billed as a cricket score chasing encounter, Australia frustrated attempts to thrash Thailand came up against a stubborn defence and inspirational keeper display. X amount of shots only materialised 1 goal, leaving Saudi Arabia in the knowledge a win of any kind at home would guarantee them a place in Russia, a task they obliged.

As continental champions, with the most expensive squad in Asia, playing some of the most eye catching tactical football around, with a reputable coach to boot, there can’t be any sugar coating of the fact, that not qualifying for the World Cup at the first attempt is a failure. Of course the playoff route offers up a second chance saloon for Ange Postecoglou, entering his final period as Socceroo coach before he presumably lands a job in Europe, with Syria and a potential 4th placed CONCACAF side to come.

The question marks surrounding their campaign have surrounded a number of deficiencies; scoring from open play (albeit this has been greatly improved upon), a reliance on the outgoing Tim Cahill (who looks to be finally phased out as a starter) and some pretty ineffectual away form. They remain as stated previously, the best side to watch in Asia, as this summer's Confederations Cup performances can prove witness to, however results continue to not come hand in hand (x points from three games in Russia).

Ahead of this final round of matches, I proposed it better for Asian football that Saudi Arabia progress automatically ahead of Australia in the Race of Russia, not out of any particular bias (if so I’d argue the other way if anything) but Australia’s greater capability to qualify against stiff North American opposition. Whether I’m swayed by the aesthetically pleasing approach from Postecoglou over van Marwijk’s more pragmatic direct thrust I’m beginning to wonder; either way I got my wish and we’ll be set for yet another set of defining matches in the Greek born coaches career.