The Intercontinental Cup 2024 witnessed a new chapter in Syria’s footballing history as they faced Mauritius at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Friday. This marked the first competitive match for Syria under their newly appointed Spanish head coach, Jose Lana. Syria, ranked 93rd in the world, entered the tournament as the highest-ranked team and strong contenders for the tri-nation title.
The Eagles of Qasioun boast a different look compared to their AFC Asian Cup squad from last year, but still possess key players like the experienced defender Thaer Krouma, who plays for the ISL champion Mumbai City FC, and the wily forward Pablo Sabbag, known for his ability to slip past opposing defenses.
However, the road to the Intercontinental Cup opener wasn’t smooth for Syria, as injury problems plagued the team. “We have some players with problems, they are not working with anything right now. They are working by themselves, and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow. But we hope to do a good job,” said Lana.
This encounter marked the first meeting between Syria and Mauritius. Though Lana acknowledged watching videos of Mauritius’s game play and analyzing them with his team, he dismissed any notions of one team being the favorite.
“I think that we have to talk on the pitch. I don’t think that any team is better than another. I think we have good players. I like them a lot. They have a way to work. They want to show how good they are. More than 30 million people want to see them on the pitch defending their shirt,” emphasized the Syrian coach.
Syria’s defender Ayham Ousou, who plays for Royal Charleroi SC in Belgium, highlighted the newness of the team, with players at different points in their respective seasons. He emphasized the focus on their performance rather than solely on the opposition.
“We respect every team that’s playing against us, but for us, I think it’s more about ourselves, what we can bring, because I know with the quality we have, the coaching staff we have, if we perform as we plan, then I think we will play a good game. We have respect for the team, but we will play our game,” Ousou stated.
Meanwhile, Mauritius, after holding India to a goalless draw in their Intercontinental Cup opener, was facing another tough opponent in Syria. Head coach Guillaume Moullec acknowledged the challenge ahead but welcomed the opportunity to gain valuable experience against higher-ranked teams, crucial for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“We are still learning and playing against teams that are higher-ranked. The next match is going to be more complicated. So our idea is to try to progress and test ourselves against better nations with more experienced players,” Moullec explained.
He also hinted at rotating his players for the Syria clash, aiming to provide playing time for as many players as possible. Captain Lyndsay Rose, who was awarded the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his solid defensive performance against India, is expected to retain his position.
“It will be a very difficult game against Syria. They are also fresh; they didn’t play the last game. They had time to prepare themselves. But we are also here to progress, test ourselves and show the best of ourselves. We are competitors and [we] want to win this tournament with humility and respect,” concluded the Mauritius captain.
