Kyrghyzstan’s midfielder Edgar Bernhardt (behind) kicks the ball away from Philippines’ midfielder Stephan Schrock during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C match between Kyrgyzstan and Philippines at Maktoum Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on January 16, 2019. AFP
Determined to start the competition on a positive note, Syria is bringing out its big guns as it battles the Philippines on Thursday at the start of the second round of 2022 Fifa World Cup Qualifying at Panaad Stadium.
The Syrians arrived in Bacolod City last Sunday night with a squad led by former AFC Asian Player of the Year Omar Kharbin and record goalscorer Firas Al-Khatib, who is also the captain of the team.
Kharbin, who plays for Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal, has scored 18 goals in 41 matches for his country, while the 36-year-old Al-Khatib already has 35 goals in 73 appearances.
Another player who could pose a threat for the Azkals is Omar Al-Soma, who has eight goals in 21 appearances for the West Asian country.
Much like the Azkals, Syria’s recent results have been far from ideal as it has won just two out of 15 matches so far this year. The Azkals have not won since their 3-1 victory over Timor Leste in the AFF Suzuki Cup last year. Their winless run now stands at eight matches.
The showdown at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday will be the first competitive meeting between the two countries in almost two decades.
The Azkals have never won against the Syrians in three matches, but any hope of reaching the next round of qualifying hinges on the result of the two matches against the West Asians, who are the second seed in the group behind China.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Football Federation has inked a sponsorship agreement with Chinese online betting site k8.com, which will provide financial support to the Azkals for their second round World Cup qualifying campaign.
PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta welcomed the agreement, saying that the Azkals need all the support they can get to make history.
PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes stressed that they were able to carefully vet the company before entering into an agreement.
“We were able to vet the company carefully,” said Gastanes. “They’ve been operating in the Philippines for a while now and they have also been involved in sponsorships with football clubs.”
The Chinese sports betting site, which only holds office in the country, but doesn’t open its site for Philippine-based clients, has sponsored English Premier League teams Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion as well as German club Schalke.