Stange will lead Syria against Palestine, Jordan and Australia at the tournament in the UAE.

With the Socceroos favoured by many to top Group B, the Qasioun Eagles will be out to take second spot and reach the knockout stages.

Stange wants to bring some happiness to the war-ravaged country through the exploits of the national team.

"I saw war for the first time when I was coaching in Iraq and I saw people dying and now it's a similar situation in Syria and you are depressed if you see these destroyed places, like Homs and Aleppo," he told Reuters.

"You can't say one word when you see that. You think about how many generations it will take to come back to normal life. Football has a chance.

"It's not the most important thing now in Syria and there are other things that are more important, but football is a very small area where we are able to give people a smile."

Syria will renew a rivalry against the Socceroos at the Asian Cup after pushing the green and gold hard over two legs in the World Cup playoffs last year.

Only a 109th minute from Tim Cahill in the second leg in Sydney stopped the Middle Eastern nation from reaching a playoff against Honduras.

Australia and Stange's men will clash in Al Ain on January 15.

The German knows Aussie football well after three years coaching Perth Glory in the NSL.

Stange, who came out of retirement in January to coach Syria, was appointed by Glory in 1998 and led them to the 2000 grand final.

The 70-year-old said he is purely focused on football and not on off-field events in Syria.

"You have to be absolutely focused on your job and don't get involved in any politics," he said.

"Stay away from comments and don't let people write wrong things about your job, speak only about football. If you do that you can do something because the players are very motivated to give their best and I think that's what I've learned."