Asian Cup 2019: 5 Teams who could make a shocking group stage exit

The two largest Asian countries might get knocked out in the group stages of Asian Cup itself
The two largest Asian countries might get knocked out in the group stages of Asian Cup itself

Group B- Syria (Current FIFA rank- 74)

The war-torn nation could be out as well
The war-torn nation could be out as well

Syria is grouped alongside Australia, Jordan, and Palestine in Group B of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Jordan (109) and Palestine (99) are ranked below the 74th-ranked war-torn nation, but the West-Asian neighbours can outfox them on their given day.

Syria has only won two matches- 2-1 over Kuwait (158) and 1-0 over Bahrain (113)- in 2018, with losses against quality oppositions China (76) and Kyrgyz Republic (91) affecting their preparations drastically.

They have held Qatar (93), Uzbekistan (95), Oman (82), and Iraq (88) to a draw, but they should aim for victory against Jordan and Palestine if they want to advance to the next stage.

Jordan, on the other hand, are in full swing with their preparations. They even faced World Cup runners-up Croatia and wouldn't mind losing 2-1 to them.

Apart from defeating Cyprus (83), Kuwait (158), and India (97), they have held Saudi Arabia (69), Albania (60), Oman (82), and Vietnam (100) in 2018. Losses to Finland (58), Lebanon (81), and Kyrgyz Republic (91) shouldn't hurt their preparations.

Palestine's preparations aren't bad either. They have held Kyrgyz Republic (91), Bahrain (113), China (76), and Iraq (88) in 2018.

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Edited by Alan John
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