As supporters of Syrias football team held up posters of their president Bashar Al-Assad,Syrias injured goalkeeper Mosab Balhous watched his team lose 1-2 to India in the opening game of Nehru Cup on Wednesday. A hamstring injury had forced Balhous to the bench and allowed reserve keeper Taha Mosa to make his debut. Balhous and his team will,however,remember the sight of Assads posters with the Syrian flag in the stands of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. While the supporters did their best to encourage the team,the flags and posters were also a reminder of the grim situation back home. The peaceful environs in New Delhi are a big change from the tension in Syria where government forces are battling rebels. The situation in Syria is disturbing. But as football players,we dont face any difficulty due to the conflict. I must say that we are lucky to be able to represent our country, Balhous said. Similar sentiments were echoed by Syrias assistant coach Anas Makhlouf. League football does take place in Syria and all players in this squad are amateurs, Makhlouf said. However,the assistant coach said the volatile situation at home does get to the players at times. When players hear about excessive brutality,they do get disturbed. It is our duty to ensure that they remain calm and focus on football, Makhlouf said. Among Syrian fans at JLN Stadium on Wednesday was Bshar (31),a PhD student at JNU. Bshar was accompanied by his brother Basm,who had come from Syria to meet him. I have travelled from Syria through Damascus and did not face any problems. We must say that we are lucky. The same goes for football players, Basm said.
