Hector Cuper He made history this Tuesday at the head of the Syria national teamqualifying for the first time in the history of that team to the round of 16 of the Asian Cup. Las Qasyoun Eaglesas they are called, achieved this milestone after defeating India 1-0, with a goal Omar Khribin.
The Syrian team, which had tied with Uzbekistan at the start of the competition 0-0 and was defeated by Australia 1-0 last day, with the victory in its last game in group B was placed in third place, position that allowed her to access the second round as one of the best third parties in the competition.
The former coach of Huracán, Lanús, Mallorca and Inter, among other clubs, and of the teams of Georgia, Egypt, Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at international level, continues to make history at 68 years old.
Those who could not hold back the emotion after Syria’s achievement were Cúper’s translator and a journalist from that country, in contact with the mixed zone after the game, with the team’s feat still fresh.
The coach’s translator burst into tears and had to be consoled by the reporter, who also hugged him with tears in his eyes while Cúper left the place in silence and with respect.
Syria, which is currently ranked 91st in the FIFA ranking, was reinforced with the arrival of Cúper and the call-up of several foreign players of Syrian origin.
Among them three Argentines stand out, Ezequiel Ham, which has just been promoted with Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza to the First Division; the former San Lorenzo, Jalil Elijahand the player from Belgrano de Córdoba, Ibrahim Hesar.
To these three footballers we must add the cases of the Swedes Aiham Dared y Antonio Yakoubthe Greek Abdul Rahman Weiss and the Colombian Paul Sabbag.
“It is a country very affected by border problems, but now there are none. Damascus is a quiet city. I came to work in worse situations, like when I was leading the Georgia team and there was a war about 80 kilometers away. Of course “If things get complicated, I’m not going to stay. Nobody forces me to live in Syria, but I want to be here,” said the coach when he arrived at the national team a year ago.