War-torn Syria on verge of World Cup fairytale

Brwned

Have you ever been in love before?
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
50,829
Against all odds, Syria’s footballers have overcome more than six years of civil war and internal political rifts to raise hopes of qualifying for their first ever World Cup.

Forced to play their home games away due to security concerns, Ayman Hakeem’s Syria have embarrassed a succession of better-resourced opponents to sit third in Group A of Asian qualifying, behind leaders Iran and South Korea.

An unlikely win away to Iran on Tuesday coupled with defeat for South Korea by Uzbekistan in the final round would give Syria second spot and direct entry to the finals in Russia next year. Even if results do not entirely go their way, Syria can still hold onto third spot and have a chance to qualify through two rounds of playoffs.

Political divisions threatened to gut the team early in the campaign, with players refusing to represent their country in protest over the actions of Bashar al-Assad’s regime during the conflict. But they have softened their stance, with veteran striker Firas Al Khatib ending his exile in March before Omar Al Soma was recently lured back to partner Al Hilal’s Omar Khrbin in attack.

Stadiums in Malaysia have offered sanctuary throughout the final phase of qualifying, with only a handful of Syrian fans able to offer their compatriots support. Despite being perpetually on the road, the results have continued to stack up.

Syria face a formidable task in Tehran against an Iranian side that has yet to concede a goal in this qualifying phase. Carlos Queiroz’s team have been imperious, booking their Russia ticket in June, but the Syrians are bolstered by the return of Al Soma, a player who could turn the tide in their favour.

Syria’s most celebrated footballer due to his goal scoring exploits with Saudi club Al Ahli, Al Soma celebrated his return with victory over Qatar.

“Thanks to God, my return to the national team was good,” he said after the game. "I hope that we can bring joy to our people, who need such joy. I will give my best in the next match in order to win and hopefully we can qualify for the World Cup.”

Along with the in-form Khrbin, who struck twice against the Qataris, Syria could have the tools to unlock Iran’s stingy defence.

Asian football is no stranger to war-affected nations making a big impact. Iraq won their first Asian Cup in 2007, at the height of the insurgency triggered by the United States-led coalition invasion in 2003.
Pretty amazing that they just knocked out Qatar for the 2018 WC.
 

whatwha

Sniffs Erricksson’s diarrhea
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
7,612
Location
Norway
Wonder what the atmosphere is like in that squad with, presumably, some players supporting or having family in Assad territories, and some with the rebels.
 

whatwha

Sniffs Erricksson’s diarrhea
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
7,612
Location
Norway
Atmosphere is pretty good, even the country feels unified in the dream of reaching the World Cup, everyone is absolutely buzzing!
Hope they can achieve it. Would be a nice story, and some much needed joy for a ruined country.
 

whatwha

Sniffs Erricksson’s diarrhea
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
7,612
Location
Norway
Our best player is anti-regime so wasn't called up until the last two matches, I think we would've already qualified had he played from the start.
That's what I was wondering about. So it's basically a regime team? How can the entire country get behind that, if certain players were kept out?
 

Rob

Full Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
3,207
Supports
Liverpool
Would be amazing if they do do it.

Hell, I'd probably give them Denmarks spot (if we qualify).
 

DWelbz19

Correctly predicted Portugal to win Euro 2016
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Messages
33,743
Our best player is anti-regime so wasn't called up until the last two matches, I think we would've already qualified had he played from the start.
Is that Al Soma? He's very good on FIFA.
 

endless_wheelies

feeling dizzy
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
3,224
Our best player is anti-regime so wasn't called up until the last two matches, I think we would've already qualified had he played from the start.
Isn't it the case that a lot of players are refusing to play due to their political beliefs?
 

CallyRed

Full Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
10,927
Looking forward to England scraping a 0-0 draw against them
 

izec

Full Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
27,164
Location
Lucilinburhuc
So what do they need to qualify? A victory? Are they in a barrage or still in the group? Excuse my ignorance, i dont follow Asian qualifiers closely
 

izec

Full Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
27,164
Location
Lucilinburhuc
We need to win vs Iran and we also need Korea to slip up vs Uzbekistan, if not we will most likely have to play in play-offs vs either Saudi or Australia.
That still sounds difficult. Iran are pretty good i guess and South Korea? are better than Uzbekistan. And playoff vs Saudi Arabia or Australia sounds difficult too. Think we all wish them good luck.
 

Cal?

CR7 fan
Joined
Mar 18, 2002
Messages
34,942
We need to win vs Iran and we also need Korea to slip up vs Uzbekistan, if not we will most likely have to play in play-offs vs either Saudi or Australia.
I think you'd beat Iran (who have nothing to play for and are your closest ally), if ever politics helps in sports, this is the game.

However, I'm not convinced the Koreans will slip up.
 

Cal?

CR7 fan
Joined
Mar 18, 2002
Messages
34,942
if we beat Iran we get into the play-offs, that's further than we've ever achieved.
I hope you make it, and if you make the playoffs, maybe get USA and beat them!! :keano:

Anyway, it would certainly make a change from the, Japan, Korea, Australia + 1 we've seen in AFC for the past decades.
 

Boycott

Full Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2013
Messages
6,306
Mad if they make it to the World Cup before China and India :eek:
 

Spiersey

Full Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2012
Messages
7,385
Location
United Kingdom.
Supports
Chelsea
Most people in here probably not familiar with Al Somah. He's not played in years but came back recently, he's genuinely a great striker. Hard to judge his level as he plays in the Gulf but I'd have him as a decent enough Prem striker. Nice freekick for the goal by him.
 

JustFootballFan

Thinks Balotelli & Pogba look the same
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
4,245
Supports
Liverpool
What is the first tiebreaker? H2H or goal differential.
 

JustFootballFan

Thinks Balotelli & Pogba look the same
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
4,245
Supports
Liverpool
Well not bad for now. If you win you are guaranteed 3rd place, and 2nd as long as South Korea doesn´t win, or Uzbekistan wins by three goals. The only downside is that Uzbekistan has to win, which will open up counter opportunities for South Korea late. The good news is Uzbeklistan won´t go crazy with a 1-0 lead to chase the other goals, if they can secure the play-offs.
 

StephenH

Full Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Messages
99
Where do they play 'home' games, I know they're not playing in Syria.
 

Gasolin

Full Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
6,106
Location
NYC
Arg, they would kick out South Korea then, which would disappoint me a lot.
 

Gasolin

Full Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
6,106
Location
NYC
Well not bad for now. If you win you are guaranteed 3rd place, and 2nd as long as South Korea doesn´t win, or Uzbekistan wins by three goals. The only downside is that Uzbekistan has to win, which will open up counter opportunities for South Korea late. The good news is Uzbeklistan won´t go crazy with a 1-0 lead to chase the other goals, if they can secure the play-offs.
Even if South Korea wins, isn't Syria guaranteed 3rd place?
 

Sigma

Full Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2015
Messages
10,428
Even if South Korea wins, isn't Syria guaranteed 3rd place?
If they lose by a lot of goals to Iran, Uzbekistan could get 3rd place. But qualifying 3rd you might have to play some good teams so that's not great.
 

broccoli

Full Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
3,124
Supports
FCPorto
Most people in here probably not familiar with Al Somah. He's not played in years but came back recently, he's genuinely a great striker. Hard to judge his level as he plays in the Gulf but I'd have him as a decent enough Prem striker. Nice freekick for the goal by him.
There's definitely a big Gulf between the English Premier league and the Syrian Championship!
Just had to use the pun no matter what
 

fatmanWazza

New Member
Newbie
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
208
Location
USA
koreans loosing now...but don't see the Syrians scoring 2 goals now so playoffs it is.....
Edit - Wrong as feck