The Syrian national football team stands on the brink of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup finals scheduled in Saudi Arabia, as it looks today to return from its host Myanmar’s land with a renewed victory to ensure its qualification. Lebanon also aims to strengthen its lead when it hosts Bhutan in Doha, in the fourth round of the third qualifying stage.

The “Eagles of Qasioun” must renew their win over their direct pursuer in Group E, after thrashing them 5-1 in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, last Thursday in the third round, including a hat-trick by their veteran striker Omar Khribin, to secure their qualification to the finals for the eighth time in their history, with the final ranking to be decided in case of a tie by head-to-head results.

Syria leads the group with 9 points, followed by Myanmar with 6 points, while Pakistan and Afghanistan rank third and fourth with one point each.

The Syrian team, coached by Spanish coach José Lana, will miss the suspended Khribin, with possible absences of Mahmoud Al-Mawas and Ayham Osso due to injury, as well as Omar Al-Soma, while Pablo Sabbagh will return after recovering from injury.

Lebanon aims to maintain its lead in Group B when it meets Bhutan at Saud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium at Al-Wakrah Club in the Qatari capital, Doha.

The “Cedars” had earned a deserved 2-0 victory over Bhutan last Thursday at Hamad Al-Kabeer Stadium in Doha, firmly holding the top spot in the group with 7 points ahead of Yemen in second place with 5 points, Brunei third with 3 points, and Bhutan fourth with 1 point.

Montenegrin coach of the “Cedars,” Miodrag Radulovic, emphasized the importance of the win and three points: “I said the match would not be easy, and despite our control, we could not score early despite many chances, which gave the opponent some confidence. If we had scored early, the result would have been much bigger. Nevertheless, the performance was positive, and we will build on it for the next match.”

Radulovic relies on a renewed and young lineup featuring the young star Sami Merhej, a player for Colombia’s Pereira club, who is expected to move to European leagues in the upcoming transfer window, and the young Ali Qassas, in addition to veterans like Mohammad Haidar, goalkeeper Mustafa Matar, Ali Tanis (Sisi), and defender Walid Shour.

Midfielder Ahmad Khairuddin said, “We learned from the mistakes of the previous match that we should not waste chances and must take advantage of available balls to ease the task.” Ali Qassas added, “We lacked luck, but we grabbed the three points and must win again to stay at the top.”

Bhutan will miss its main goalkeeper Jambel Dorji due to injury and player Orgyen Wangchuk, who was sent off in the previous match, giving Lebanon a relative advantage.

Lebanon leads the group with 7 points, ahead of Yemen (5), Brunei (3), and Bhutan (1). A win will be enough for the Cedars to extend their lead and enhance their chances of direct qualification to the finals. In the same group, Yemen will face Brunei in Doha as well.