India coach Igor Stimac and Syria coach Hector Cuper during their respective pre-match press conferences, yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Goals have eluded India and Syria in the AFC Asian Cup so far but their final Group B match today is expected to produce some, with both the sides facing do-or-die situation at Al Bayt Stadium.
India despite losing 2-0 to Australia and 3-0 to Uzbekistan have a chance to enter the knockout stage, while Syria with one point from a goalless stalemate against Uzbekistan can also progress with Round of 16 berths available for four third-best placed teams from six groups.
After back-to-back victories, Australia have already advanced with Uzbekistan needing a draw against Socceroos to reach the knockout stage in today’s other group match.
India coach Igor Stimac was hopeful his team can seal full points against Syria after gaining experience from tough games against Australia and Uzbekistan.
“Syria have a number of players featuring in some of the top leagues in Europe and they play a very classic 4-4-2 style of football. But many of their attributes, including their physical prowess, bear resemblance to that of Uzbekistan players and we will try to capitalise on the lessons learned from our last match,” Stimac told reporters yesterday.
The Croatian coach was happy to get his players including midfielder Abdul Samad back from injuries ahead of the crucial match.
“I am pleased to have my whole squad back and am expecting a good match. It’s a crucial tie for Syria as well as India as we both need to win to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage,” said Stimac.
Syria are looking to make history in Qatar as they aim to clear the group stage for the first time in Asian Cup. Their veteran Argentine coach Hector Cuper expressed satisfaction on his team’s performance as he hoped for first win to keep hopes alive.
“While we are yet to register our first win in the Asian Cup, I think the team has been playing very well,” said Cuper. “I am not the kind of coach that rotates players just for the sake of it. It is important to have harmony in the team and that is what we’re trying to achieve.”
“Qualifying for the last 16 will be historic for the Syria national team and we hope to bring joy to the Syrian people through qualifying,” he said.
The Argentine coach, however, said his team must be ready to counter attacking game from India.
“In a competition like this, I don’t want to underestimate any team. The game is crucial to both teams and there is, of course, pressure. But this kind of pressure is a privilege and shouldn’t scare us. We have an opportunity to make the Syrian people happy and our sole focus is on collecting three points and boosting our qualification chances.”
Group B - Syria vs India
Goalless run: Syria have failed to score in four of their past five AFC Asian Cup group matches, as many as in previous 17 such games.
Losing streak: India have lost four matches in a row in the AFC Asian Cup, their joint-longest streak in the competition (1984-2011).
Target hard to find: Syria have managed only one shot on target in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, fewer than any other team.
Focused: Syria's Aiham Ousou has made 14 clearances in the AFC Asian Cup 2023, no other player did more (UAE’s Bader Nasser also 14) in Group B.
