For a second successive Asian Cup campaign, Australia and Syria will meet in the group stage of this competition, with that encounter taking place on Thursday at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
The Socceroos lead Group B with three points following a 2-0 triumph over India on matchday one, while the Syrians held onto a 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan.
Hector Cuper has a reputation for being a master tactician, and his side were remarkably organised against Uzbekistan, holding them to just two efforts on target despite having 34% of the possession.
While they are unbeaten in their three matches played this year, this team have only won one Asian Cup encounter in the 21st century, stunning Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their opening match in 2011.
Syria have never made it beyond the group stage of this tournament but are expected to contend this time around, losing just one of their previous five fixtures versus Asian opposition (5-0 to Japan).
The Syrians have claimed at least a point in every one of their Asian Cup campaigns but have lost each of their encounters at this tournament when conceding in the opening half.
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