Survey: Syria’s Qasioun Eagles capable of reaching playoffs of 2019 AFC Asia Cup finals

Damascus, SANA – 41 days remaining before launch of the AFC Asia Cup 2019 to be held in the United Arab Emirates, with Syria being placed in Group B alongside Australia, Palestine and Jordan. Football experts are following up Syria’s national football team during its preparations for Asia Cup finals, including the internal and external training camps and the international friendlies, under the supervision of German coach Bernd Stange. SANA Sports Bulletin conducted a survey of elite Arab sports journalists about the Syrian football team’s playoff chances at the 2019 Asia Cup finals. Jordanian journalist, Saleh al-Rashed, stressed confidence in the ability of Syria’s Qasioun Eagles to reach playoffs provided that it includes such distinct veteran footballers in terms of physical fitness and technical and tactical skills. For his part, Iraqi journalist Saif al-Maleki called for unifying efforts to rehabilitate Syria’s facilities, especially football stadiums, in order to restore its position in the sports industry and host championships. In turn, Egyptian journalist Jawda Abu al-Nour noted that the Syrian team deserved the international recognition for its high performance in World Cup finals. Syria’s Qasioun Eagles played 8 international friendlies in preparation for AFC Asia Cup finals. It drew 2-2 with Qatar, 1-1 with Iraq and 1-1 with Uzbekistan, then it lost 1-2 to Kyrgyzstan and won 1-0 over Bahrain. The Syrian team lost 0-2 to China, drew 1-1 with Oman and defeated Kuwait 2-1. It also played 3 friendlies with European football clubs. It lost 1-2 to Slovenia’s Rudar Velenje, won 3-2 over the Japanese football team, Nagasaki, and defeated Qarabag Agdam team, champion of Azerbaijani League, 1-0. Syria’s opening match will be against Palestine on the 6th of next January, then it will meet Jordan on the 10th day of the month. And it will end its first-round matches facing Australia on January,15th.