FFM has confirmed that the offer for a road friendlies against Syria and Lebanon has officially been accepted.
Macedonia originally wanted to played two friendlies in Austria and even arranged to face Azerbaijan there on May 26, but since failed to find another opponent had to cancel the planned trip. FFM wants to make a training camp and play at least two friendly, so there's no point of going there for only one.
Instead, FFM decided to accept the offer for a Middle East trip where Macedonia will face Syria and Lebanon. The later visited Macedonia for a friendly last November, so it is our turn to return the favor. Lebanon will host Macedonia on May 29 at the Saida International Stadium in the port city of Sidon. The stadium has a capacity of 22.600.
Lebanese players celebrate their winning goal in Skopje; photo: dailystar.com.lbLebanese players celebrate their winning goal in Skopje; photo: dailystar.com.lb
But three days earlier Macedonia will visit Syria. The war is still going one there, but the eastern parts of the country are totally free. Macedonia will travel to the government controlled port city of Latakia to face Syria in a game played for the first time on Syrian soil since December 22 2010 when they hosted Iraq in the capital city of Damascus. Because of the ongoing war FIFA banned Syria from hosting matches, but now thanks to the Russian intervention some parts of the country are totally safe even for football. For example, the Syrian top division never stopped from playing. The game will be played at the Latakia Sports City Stadium with a capacity of 45.000 but for security reasons only 5.000 will be allowed.
The Syrian national team; photo: mesingol.comThe Syrian national team; photo: mesingol.com
Despite all the problems, the Syrian national team is enjoying a greta run in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as they just earned a place in the final stage of the AFC qualification tournament as one of the four best second placed teams. They finished behind Japan in their group.
The already arranged game against Iran is confirmed and will take place as planned, on June 2 in Skopje.
Keep in mind that this is a joke article, so if you are reading this sentence then you have been fooled on the first of April.
