In the past, I used to dislike seeing an unusual country advance in football. In 1994 I said, I cannot stand seeing the Americans win in football. In 1998, I was shocked when I saw a new team raise the World Cup, France.
Today, I am totally the opposite, I cheer and love when I see a new country develop their football. I start cheering for countries like Japan, Korea and USA in the World Cup. And in the Asian level, I cheer so much for Syria and Jordan that managed to embarrass biggest teams in Asia.
Most likely Syria won't make it to the second round tomorrow after group games. Yet, I tribute these great Syrian goals for their achievement. These are recent goals when Syrian football did big leaps,
a great goal vs. Iraq in 2008
and some goals vs. Kuwait by the star Firas Al-Khateeb
Just as a reminder, Syria was not always a bad team. In 1984 Asian Cup, they beat South Korea 1-0 and lost hardly to Saudi team 0-1. They were about to reach 1986 World Cup. They had to play two legs with Iraq. Tied the first 0-0 but lost 3-1.
They never came into big achievement before, but never as well had big humiliations. They always lost to big teams by a goal difference, and sometimes managed to get a tie.
Finally, this great goal in a friendly vs. South Korea
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