New Delhi, Aug 19 - Syria, runners-up last time, are the highest ranked team at the ONGC Nehru Cup 2009 and they will have to live up to their top billing when they face 160th ranked Kyrgyzstan in the second game of the ONGC Nehru Cup here Thursday.

Going by their recent track record, 96th-ranked Syria undoubtedly are the tournament favourites as they had beaten China and Lebanon in the Asian Cup qualifiers and currently are at the top of Group D.

Syria's coach Fazer Ibrahim said for him the Nehru Cup is a preparation to qualify for the Asian Cup.

'Except for a couple of top players, who have retired, we have a good team this time. For us the tournament is just a preparation for the Asian Cup. We had a good run in the qualifiers as we have beaten China and Lebanon,' he said.

Ibrahim said the experience of playing against good teams like India and Lebanon will help them in getting much-needed practice for the remaining Asian Cup qualifiers.

'India are a good team and they have already qualified for the Asian Cup. They have done well in the last two years. So playing against them will be an advantage for us. Lebanon are also a quality team and we are in the same group in the Asian qualifiers,' he said.

Ibrahim will be missing his two top players Zyad Chaabo and Maher Al Sayad, who have retired from international football.