ZCZC
BSP-05
FBL-ASIA-2019-SYRIA-CONFLICT
Syria take field in Asian Cup with fans divided by war
DAMASCUS, Jan 5, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Syria take the field this weekend for
their first international football tournament in eight years of war, but not
all fans are happy.
The Qasioun Eagles take on Palestine on Sunday in their first game of the
Asian Cup group stage, hoping to make up for the heartbreak of narrowly
missing out on the World Cup finals in Russia last year.
Their qualification has thrilled Syrians in government-held territory, but
angered fans in rebel areas who accuse the national team of playing for a
regime they detest.
After last year’s disappointment, national team member Muayyad Ajaan said
he was determined this time would be different.
“The pressures and the pains of war have had a positive impact on our
spirits. We’re determined to make the Syrian people happy,” he told AFP.
“Our qualification is a victory for everyone.”
The team’s participation in the Asian Cup has particular significance as
Syria remains banned from hosting international fixtures.
Maria Barud, 29, who works at a clothes store in Damascus, said she and
others were in desperate need of some joy after gruelling years of war.
“I never thought a day would come when I remembered the name of a football
player, but I’ve remembered all the names of players in the Syrian team,” she
said.
“I follow what matches are when, and even bought the team shirt.”
– ‘Doesn’t represent me’ –
After years of devastating conflict that has killed 360,000 people and
displaced millions, the regime today is back in control of two-thirds of the
country.
“I no longer see it as just a rough boys’ game. It’s become a sensitive
national topic,” Barud said.
“We dance when the team wins, and cry when it loses.” Syria reached an
advanced stage in qualifications for the 2018 World Cup, only to be denied at
the last hurdle with a defeat to Australia.
Syria will face the Socceroos again in the group stage of the Asian Cup, as
well as vying with Palestine and Jordan for a place in the knock-out phase.
In late December, the national squad’s last training session in Damascus
drew thousands of fans.
MORE/SSS/0914 hrs
ZCZC
BSP-06
FBL-ASIA-2019-SYRIA-CONFLICT-2-LAST
In the stands, supporters held up their mobile phones to film or snap
pictures of the players, under posters of President Bashar al-Assad and his
father Hafez.
But not all Syrians are so enthusiastic.
In areas that escape regime control, football fans are damning of a team
they say only represents the government.
“The team doesn’t represent me in any way whatsoever,” said Rami Mohammed,
a resident of the northern rebel-held town of Azaz.
“How am I supposed to cheer on players who support a murderer?” the 23-
year-old asked.
After a series of Russia-backed regime victories around the country, many
Syrians have fled their homes to territory still under opposition control in
the north of the country.
– ‘Huge responsibility’ –
Yunes Shasho, who also lives in Azaz, says he could not support the
national team. There are “players still in regime jails, while their
colleagues play under the picture of Bashar al-Assad,” said the 31-year-old.
Throughout the conflict, several players have distanced themselves from the
team — but some have since returned.
Assad met national players in October after the World Cup qualifiers,
posing for photographs with them and signing their red-and-white team shirts.
The squad included Firas al-Khatib, who had previously voiced support for
the rebellion, although he will be absent from the Asian Cup due to an
injury.
Syria’s team for now will focus on surviving as a long as possible in the
newly expanded Asian Cup, which includes 24 instead of 16 teams this year.
The Qasioun Eagles, named after a mount overlooking Damascus, will face
Palestine in their first game on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma said he and his teammates were determined to do
well.
“People need to come together” despite the war, he said.
Mohammed Barafi, a computer shop employee in Damascus, said he was excited.
“This team is the best Syria has produced, because it is born of the crisis
and its sufferings,” he said, referring to the war.
“For the players, the match will not just be a game,” said the 24-year-old.
“They carry a huge responsibility… the responsibility of making the people
happy.”
BSS/AFP/SSS/0915 hrs