syrian joy as football world cup dream lives on
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Syrian joy as football World Cup dream lives on

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleSyrian joy as football World Cup dream lives on

Syria's players celebrate at the end of their FIFA World Cup 2018
Hong Kong - Muslimchronicle

Syrian fans expressed joy as their fairytale World Cup campaign headed into an Asian play-off against Australia -- whose coach found himself under rising pressure.

Saudi Arabia also celebrated booking their spot at Russia 2018, but South Korean supporters appeared unconvinced after a 0-0 draw with Uzbekistan took their team to a ninth straight World Cup.

After the final night of Asian qualifiers, South Korea and the Saudis joined Iran and Japan by sealing their trips to Russia, while Syria and Australia finished third in their groups to go into the play-off series.

Syria's Omar Al Soma scored in injury time to force a 2-2 draw at Iran's Azadi Stadium, earning a crucial point that set off celebrations in their war-ravaged homeland.

Syria have never reached the World Cup before, and their current success comes despite the brutal civil war that has forced them to play all their home games abroad.

"I cannot describe my happiness... I hope that peace will prevail across Syria," said Lara Hanna, 35, who watched the game in a Damascus coffee shop.

"Of course we wanted the national team to win," even if Syria is divided into "the opposition and the regime", said 30-year-old Abu Badr in Eastern Ghouta, where a group of fans watched the game in a farm.

"The team represents all of Syria and we hope they will win in the play-offs and go on to qualify for the World Cup," he said.

The mood was markedly worse in Australia, where the Socceroos were pitched into the lottery of the play-offs despite a 2-1 victory over Thailand in Melbourne.

Coach Ange Postecoglou, who led Australia to the Asian Cup title in 2015, brushed off questions about his future while admitting he was "not everyone's cup of tea". 

"What do you do? I took the role to do it a certain way and I'll see it through," Postecoglou said.

"I've survived much worse than this and if anything it motivates me to keep going because I want to make sure Australian football gets on the right path."

- 'Lippi loves China' -

China, bidding to improve on their world ranking of 77th and become one of the globe's top football nations, again missed out despite their 2-1 win over Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts.

But China's fortunes have risen since the arrival of Marcello Lippi last October, and officials praised the achievements of the Italian World Cup-winning coach.

"Since Marcello Lippi has been leading the team, the changes have been very big," said Chinese Football Association (CFA) president Cai Zhenhua, according to the People's Daily.

"The team has an entirely new aspect," he added. "Marcello Lippi loves China very much. We also hope that he can offer his football philosophy and rich experience to China."

South Korea's coach Shin Tae-Yong also took over mid-campaign, and he promised doubtful fans that the team would be much improved by Russia.

The Taeguk Warriors suffered shock qualifying defeats to China and Qatar, and ended their campaign with back-to-back goalless draws. 

"The world will see how strong South Korea are at the World Cup," he told journalists after Tuesday's stalemate in Tashkent.

South Korea's fans, however, feared the worst.

"Should we go to the World Cup just to be knocked out in the first round?" posted one fan, while another wrote: "I am confused. Why am I angry rather than joyful after the team reached the World Cup?"

Syria and Australia play a two-legged play-off next month, with the winner going into an intercontinental play-off against a team from the CONCACAF federation.

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

syrian joy as football world cup dream lives on syrian joy as football world cup dream lives on

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 18:58 2016 Friday ,08 April

Cypriot parliament speaker to visit Egypt Sunday

GMT 11:43 2017 Thursday ,21 September

More than 100 migrants missing after shipwreck off Libya

GMT 12:03 2017 Thursday ,19 January

Dollar climbs on Yellen speech, Asia traders eye Trump

GMT 12:50 2017 Friday ,15 September

Fati Jamali received offer to participate

GMT 08:56 2017 Wednesday ,15 November

Nadal pullout leaves Federer as last man standing

GMT 08:10 2016 Wednesday ,28 December

Germany cancels show of Iran shah's art trove

GMT 12:57 2017 Friday ,11 August

Military option with N. Korea 'locked and loaded

GMT 10:38 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Al-Sabah, Nawal win Arab Woman Award 2017

GMT 13:30 2016 Thursday ,03 November

Chicago jubilant after Cubs' historic World Series win

GMT 20:23 2018 Thursday ,18 January

UK, France agree new border security treaty

GMT 10:07 2017 Tuesday ,01 August

Pakistan's parliament set to vote for interim PM
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle