Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Fujairah: Syria coach Mohamad Jouma said that his side's emphatic 5-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday was a 'big step' towards the quarter-finals but was taking nothing for granted with matches against Australia and Qatar still to come.
The Syrians made the ideal start to their AFC U-19 Championship Group D campaign after three goals in the first quarter-of -an-hour of their Group D clash with Saudi Arabia laid the foundations for their comprehensive victory.
Mahmoud Al Mawas was the star of the night with goals in the 8th, 14th and 6th minutes before turning provider and setting up Adnan Al Taki and Samer Salem for Syria's other two goals. Ahmed Al Shehri hit what proved to be scant consolation for the Saudis.
"I am very happy to get the three points in the first match especially against a Saudi Arabia team that is considered a strong contender for a ticket to the quarter finals," Jouma (pictured) said.
"I expected to win but not with this margin as the Saudis are a good team.
"Our players used their speed on the flanks to score three goals in the first 15 minutes and although we have taken a big step we still have two difficult matches against Australia and Qatar and we must do our best to get the results.
"I watched the Australian team today and they have very good strategies and the match against them will be very difficult. But I guess that we have the physical strength to challenge them as I believe that Syria and Iraq are among the top physical teams in the tournament.
"We thank our supporters for coming in big numbers today and we are happy to get this win for them."
Saudi Arabia's stunned coach admitted that he was surprised by the quality of the Syrians but also felt that his own side was the architects of their own downfall.
Vowing to show a marked improvement in their remaining two matches, the Spaniard said:
"The match was very difficult and after we were unlucky not to score from our early chances the match took a different turn with the three Syrian goals.
"Their goals today came from our mistakes but I have to admit that Syria players surprised me with their physical and mental development.
"We are not satisfied after this result but hopefully we can manage to make a good come back in the next two matches.
"I believe that my team can get back and win in these next two matches. Qatar is equal to us physically and we will have Fahd Al Mowalad back and he will add a lot more striking power for the team."