Rival Watch: India's third AFC Asian Cup 2023 opponents Syria

Both India & Syria are yet to win a game in AFC Asian Cup 2023.

India will be eager to get some points on the board in the AFC Asian Cup in their final group stages clash against a stubborn Syria side on Tuesday (January 23). The Blue Tigers have faced bitter defeats in their first two games, but now face an uphill task to get one win against a side that has caused Uzbekistan and Australia major issues.

Syria have punched above the weight so far, scratching one point from their two games and still have a chance to make it to the knockout rounds with a strong third-place finish. This will be stern challenge for the Blue Tigers, who need to be their clinical best to get a positive result.

About the Team

Syria became a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) since 1969, but they played their first official international game even before that in 1942. The Qaisoun Eagles participated in the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 1980 and have now played in seven Asian Cup editions in their history.

However, Syria have never been able to move past the group stages in the competition and actually last won a game in the competition back in 2011. In terms of winning competitions, Syria have only won the WAFF Championship, Arab Games and Mediterranean Games once in their history. They have also, never qualified for a FIFA World Cup.

Recent Performances

Syria have played four games in 2024, out of which two were before the Asian Cup games their first two games in the competition. They played out draws against Malaysia and Kyrgyz Republic before the Asian Cup, before starting their campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw against Uzbekistan.

However, the Qaisoun Eagles ended up losing to Australia in their second game. Their last win in a competitive game actually came in November 2023, when they defeated North Korea in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The Coach

Hector Cuper enjoyed a lengthy professional career as a footballer, making over 550 appearances as a centre-back and also getting a few caps for the Argentine national taem. However, his managerial career has been much more prolific in considerably bigger competitions.

The Argentine gaffer has managed teams like Inter Milan, Valencia and Mallorca in the past. He helped Valencia win the Supercopa de Espana in 1999 and helped them make consecutive Champions League finals in 1999/2000 and 2000/01 seasons – as well as winning the La Liga Manager of the Year award in 1999 and UEFA Club Coach of the Year in 2000 too.

Cuper only took over the Syria national team in 2023, after having worked with national teams like Uzbekistan and Egypt beforehand. However, the Qaisoun Eagles have only won 25% of the matches under Cuper and and lost five of the 12 games so far.

Under the Argentine gaffer, Syria have tended to play a 4-4-2 formation in the Asian Cup – which includes with two deep-lying number sixes. His team tends to sit down deep in their half and excels in soaking pressure and frustrating opponents. Syria are also physically strong and looks to use that in set pieces and also will try to make use of the transitions to score goals.

Players to Watch

Ammar Ramadan

The 23-year-old currently plays for Slovakian first-division side Dunajska Streda and has made himself a regular for the Syria national team. He has not contributed to any goals for them, but is chosen for his hard-working nature and energetic presence down the wide areas. Ramadan has been one of Syria’s best players in the past games, especially with his fantastic defensive effort in winning a lot of key duels and helping out his backline.

But against India, he’ll be given more creative freedom to romp forward and look to create chances from the left wing. Ramada, who has nine goal contributions in 20 appearances for Streda this season, definitely has the quality to move into key areas and clinically finish off chances – which he attempts against India.

Abdul Weiss

Abdul Rahman Weiss has been an absolute workhorse for the Qaisoun Eagles in the AFC Asian Cup so far, being an absolute rock for them in the backline. The right-back, who plays for Greek second-division side Kallithea, has been instrumental in Syria’s impressive defensive work and won 16 duels, made five tackles and 13 possession recoveries over the last two games.

Weiss will look to maintain his good form but shutting out India’s movement down the left and neutralizing a major aspect of their attack. He will, however, need to show more urgency in also contributing to the attack and aim to make darting runs in behind the defenders and swing in quality crosses for his teammate.

Omar Khribin

Even though he might’ve been used as a substitute in the first two games, Syria need a prolific goal-scorer like Omar Khribin if they aspire to get a big win over India. The 30-year-old is the most clinical and experienced forward in the team, having scored 21 goals in 50 appearances for the Quisoun Eagles.

The Al-Wahda forward has been in impressive form at the domestic level this season, scoring 12 goals in 15 appearances for them. Khribin can be a menace in the forward line, troubling with his movement and also the link-up play. However, the 30-year-old excels at finishing off chances in the box and will look to do just that and torment the Blue Tigers.

What to Expect

Syria are in desperate need of a win to keep their knockout hopes alive, so they definitely won’t sit back and allow India to dictate the tempo of the game this time around. The Qaisoun Eagles will look to dominate more of the possession and pour more players forward in trying to create chances and score goals.

Syria are probably going to look at their physical prowess to trouble the shaken Indian side, winning key duels in the best positions and then threatening on the transitions or using their movement down the wide areas. India will need to be clever in not trying to go toe-to-toe physically with this Syria side and be at their ruthless best in the final third to get a win here.

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