goal was scored by Somah) and a high defeat with Iran (0–3), the head coach Mahrous was fired. At 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, under the leadership of new coach Valeriu Tița, they showed up in good form. They played the first match in Group B against the UAE, which they lost 1–2. In the next match, Syria played well despite the previous results, as Oliver Kass Kawo and Mouhamad Anez scored 2–0 over the big favorite from Tunisia. In their last group match, the Qasioun Eagles lost very badly to Mauritania 1–2 when the equalizing goal was scored by Mahmoud Al Baher in the 52nd minute. They took 3rd place in the group and 9th place in overall. In the last qualifying matches, they lost first to the UAE 0–2 then to South Korea with the same score, and due to these results Tița was dismissed. Ghassan Maatouk was appointed as the new national head coach on February 9, 2022, leading the team to victory in the derby with Lebanon (3–0) and a draw with Iraq (1–1) in the last two matches. As a result, the Syrian team finished 5th in Group A. Stadiums Team image Rivalries Syria's common rivals are mostly from the Levant and the Gulf, notably are Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq and Iran. Syria vs. Lebanon Due to historical reasons, matches against Lebanon have been frequently followed and seen by Syrians as the most important rival. Syria played until today 25 games against Lebanon. The first match took place on 19 April 1942 in a friendly match against the Cedars in Beirut, when Lebanon and Syria were a French colonies. In 1947 Syria played two more friendlies against Lebanon: 4–1 victory in Beirut on 4 May, and 1–0 victory in Aleppo on 18 May. It was at this time that the matches were the most regular. Syria dominates the series with 15 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses. Syria vs. Jordan Syria played their first official match against Jordan on 1 August 1953 in Alexandria, Egypt as part of the 1953 Pan Arab Games, winning 3–1. In later years, the derby gained mutual popularity mainly due to historical and political reasons, as Syrians consider Jordan as part of the original territory of Bilad al-Sham. Nickname The Syria is known by supporters and the media as Nosour Qasioun, meaning The Eagles of Qasioun in reference to the Mount