Syria

Asian Cup 2011 Teams: Syria

Road to Qatar

Even the most respected regional commentators failed to predict that Syria, who had not even qualified for an Asian Cup finals since 1996, would be the only country to remain unbeaten in any of the qualifying groups.

The Middle Eastern nation topped Group D ahead of China by virtue of a remarkable run of five straight clean sheets following an opening round 3-2 win over the Chinese in Aleppo, including a goalless draw in Hangzhou a year ago.

Fixtures

Group B

Syria v Saudi Arabia; 9 January 2011, Al-Rayyan, Doha

Syria v Japan; 13 January 2011, Qatar Sports Club, Doha

Syria v Jordan; 17 January 2011, Qatar Sports Club, Doha

Analysis

Unfortunately for Syrian fans, the team's parsimonious approach in qualifying has deserted the side in the run-up to the finals. Syria have lost three of their four recent warm-up matches and scored just once in 360 minutes of action, not exactly the form required to spring a huge shock by progressing from Group B ahead of big guns Japan and Saudi Arabia. History is also against them. The 2011 tournament is their first Asian Cup appearance for 15 years and they have never yet progressed past the first round.

Key player: Ali Diab

Imposing central defender Ali Diab, 28, broke new territory by temporarily joining Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua last year and is the most capped player in the squad in Qatar. Diab, who is excellent competing in the air, will need to be at his most masterful to repel rival attacks during the group phase.

One to watch: Sanharib Malki Sabah

Belgium-based forward Sanharib Malki Sabah plays for Lokeren and was courted by the Belgian footballing authorities before committing to the land of his birth in 2008. The 26-year-old has not yet truly broken through for club or country, but Qatar 2011 could be the perfect platform.

Coach: Valeriu Tita

The Syrian national team sent a desperate SOS to current manager Valeriu Tita in mid-December after parting company with Serbian Ratomir Dujkovic in acrimonious circumstances. By agreeing to manage Syria's Asian Cup campaign on a temporary basis - on loan from Syrian club Al-Ittihad of Aleppo - the 44-year-old Romanian became the team's fourth manager in a matter of months.

Local manager Fajr Ibrahim steered Syria through qualifying but was axed in September following friendly defeats to Kuwait and Yemen, leaving caretaker Ayman Hackeem in charge. Tita enjoyed recent success in the 2010 AFC Cup final when his Aleppo side defeated Kuwaiti favourites Al-Qadisiya after a penalty shootout.

Record

2000; Did not qualify, 2004; Did not qualify, 2007; Did not qualify

Soccerphile says

With limited time for Tita to have an influence and games against Saudi Arabia and Japan coming before the more winnable outing against Jordan, Syria are outsiders to progress past the group stage for the first time in their history.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Mosab Balhous (Al-Karamah), Radwan Al Azhar (Al-Majd), Adnan Al Hafez (Al-Wahda)
Defenders: Belal Abduldaim (Al-Karamah), Ali Diab (Al-Shorta), Jehad Al Baour (Al-Jaish), Hadim Sabagh (Al-Jaish), Ahmad Al Salih (Al-Jaish), Abdulkader Dakka (Al-Ittihad), Bwrhan Sahiwni (Al-Jaish)
Midfielders: Feras Esmaeel (Al-Jaish), Jehad Al Hussain (Al-Qadsia), Abdelrazaq Al Hussain (Al-Karamah), Taha Dyab (Al-Ittihad), Qusay Habib (Al-Shorta), Abel Abdullah (Al-Karamah), Wael Ayan (Al-Faisaly), Louay Chanko (Aalborg), Samer Awad (Al-Majd)
Forwards: Firas Al Khatib (Al-Qadsia), Mohamed Al Zeno (Al-Karamah), Abdul Fattah Al Agha (Wadi Degla), Senharib Malki (KSC Lokeren)

The winner of the Asian Cup takes part in the Confederations Cup.

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