SINGAPORE — Mentally scarred by the turmoil at home after two-and-half-years of civil war, Syria's national football players are hoping continued success on the pitch can give their compatriots small reason to cheer. Syria, which beat Iraq to win the West Asian Championships for the first time in December, takes on Singapore Tuesday in an Asian Cup qualifying match as it attempts to reach the finals of the region's premier tournament in Australia in 2015. At Monday's pre-match press conference, usually a place for journalists to ask about tactics and injuries, the bulk of questions were centered on the conflict in Syria, which has claimed more than 100,000 lives and driven more than 2.1 million refugees out of their homeland. “Nobody's saying it but mentally you are affected,” Syria captain and striker Sanhareb Malki said. “When you know a friend or family (member) dies, yeah some of the players' family has died, so its really difficult for sure. “The (players) talk, they look on the news. There's an explosion and everyone watch how many dead for family. So everyday we hear, gun shots and things like that — it's normal now in the country.” Malki plays his club football in the Turkish top division with Kasimpasa after previous spells in Netherlands, Syria is ranked a lowly 143rd by world governing body FIFA and has never qualified for the World Cup. Their hopes of reaching the Asian Cup are hindered by being forced to play home matches in Iran where Malik said only 100 people saw them draw with Jordan last time out after losing their opening match away to Oman. Malik, though, pointed to the exploits of another war-torn Middle East nation finding success on the soccer field when asked what it would mean to come in the top two of the group and qualify for Australia. “It would give happiness to the people at this tragic period for us at the moment. I think Iraq they did the same in 2007 and we need to try and do the same.” Iraq qualified for the event in Southeast Asia before going on to beat regional soccer giants Saudi Arabia in the final and complete a fairytale win. Meanwhile, China faces a pivotal away game against Indonesia this week as it bid to extend its proud record of qualifying for the last 10 editions of the Asian Cup. Tuesday's game in Jakarta is shaping as a must-win for the team and caretaker coach Fu Bo, who took over after China axed former Real Madrid and Spain boss Jose Antonio Camacho. China has enjoyed a mini-revival under Fu, after a poor run with the expensively hired Camacho, and it is three points off the lead in Group C after the first two games. But it will need to ensure it takes maximum points off bottom-placed Indonesia as it fights it out with Saudi Arabia and Iraq for the two automatic qualifying spots. China, which has reached every Asian Cup since its first appearance in 1976, lost its opener away to the Saudis but then grabbed a stoppage-time winner at home against Iraq. The qualifiers are effectively an audition for Fu as he bids to go full-time and lead China to the 2015 tournament in Australia. Former Asian champion Iraq, absorbing its latest change of manager after Hakeem Shaker replaced Vladimir Petrovic — less than a year after Zico's departure — takes on the table-topping Saudis in Amman. Elsewhere, in Group A Jordan has a rematch with Oman, whom it beat in World Cup qualifying to reach the play-offs. A revenge win for Oman would see it all but qualified for Australia. Three-time champion Iran leads Group B on goal difference and can move a step closer to the tournament in early 2015 with a victory in Tehran against Thailand, which has yet to gain any points. Uzbekistan will be looking to revive its qualification hopes after a poor start in Group E when it hosts Vietnam in Tashkent. The 2011 semifinalist is currently in third place with just a single point after a goalless draw with Hong Kong and 2-1 loss to the United Arab Emirates. With four points, Hong Kong hosts group leader UAE knowing that a win would boost its hopes of reaching the finals for the first time since 1968. — Agencies
