Syria’s U-23 national team has once again fallen short of expectations, failing to reach the final of the West Asian Championship. The team’s underwhelming performances have sparked frustration among Syrian football fans, who had hoped for a stronger showing in the tournament.
The team began preparations in Aleppo under the supervision of head coach Imad Khankan, with Yusuf Al-Rabee Al-Hassan as team director. The technical staff also included assistant coaches Firas Khalil and Bakri Trab, goalkeeper coach Ahmad Al-Naif, fitness coach Rabie Salloum, and team manager Issa Hilal.
During their training camp, Syria played a series of friendly matches. Their first match ended in a 2-2 draw against Khan Shaykhun, but the team managed to win an unconventional “third half” 4-3 after requesting extra playing time. However, subsequent games were less encouraging, with back-to-back 2-1 defeats against Al-Ittihad (Ahli Aleppo). Over seven periods of play, the team conceded seven goals while scoring only six, exposing defensive vulnerabilities ahead of the tournament.
The squad then traveled to Muscat, Oman, for further preparations. In an interview with +963 magazine before the tournament, head coach Khankan highlighted the challenges facing the team, particularly the impact of Syria’s inactive domestic league, which limited their training period to just ten days.
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The sixth edition of the West Asian Championship featured eight teams, divided into four groups. Syria’s campaign began with a 2-2 draw against Lebanon, which they won via penalty shootout. However, hopes of a deep run were dashed in the semifinals when they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Jordan. The result, coupled with the team’s lackluster performances, drew heavy criticism from Syrian football fans, especially given the presence of several promising players in the squad.
Despite this setback, Syria’s U-23 team now turns its attention to the upcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, set to take place in Saudi Arabia this September. With growing calls for a reassessment of the team’s strategies and performance, fans remain hopeful for a turnaround in future competitions.
