Al Ain: Syria's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign has suffered a serious blow, with winger Osama Omari to miss the remainder of the tournament after suffering a knee injury.
Both the player and Syrian team confirmed the 27-year-old would play no further part in the competition, and faces a six-month stint on the sidelines after he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the first half of Sunday's goaless draw against Palestine.
Omari, who plays his club football for Doha-based Qatar Sports Club, revealed the details of his injury via social media.
"I thank everyone who checked on me, and I thank Qatar Club for covering my treatment," he said.
"The injury was the anterior cruciate ligament, so I will miss the remaining matches with the national team in the AFC Asian Cup, but my teammates are capable of overcoming this and bringing joy for the millions of Syrians in the next matches."
The Syrian team also released a statement, which confirmed both the injury and the anticipated six-month recovery period.
Group B Matchday 1: Syria vs Palestine
Omari's departure is a blow for the Qasioun Eagles, who were forced to settle for a draw against Palestine on Matchday One, and face remaining group stage fixtures against in-form Jordan and holders Australia.
Yousef Kalfa may be the man to deputise for Omari. The Al Hazem wide man has regularly featured as a substitute in recent friendlies under head coach Bernd Stange, and played all 90 minutes in Syria's recent 2-1 win over Kuwait.
Syria will meet Jordan at Al Ain's Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday.
Source: the-afc.com