India vs Syria Highlights, Intercontinental Cup 2024: India Lose 0-3 vs Syria, Finish Intercontinental Cup 2024 Without A Win

India vs Syria LIVE: Thank you!

That’s a wrap for our coverage of the Intercontinental Cup 2024. The Indian football team is in action again in exactly a month’s time, as they take on Vietnam on October 9, before facing Lebanon on October 12. Manolo Marquez would hope to have a better grip on how his team functions by then.

India vs Syria LIVE: Positives

The only redeeming point to take away from these two Intercontinental Cup games will be that second half vs Syria. Yes, India conceded two late goals. But despite trailing, they created several chances and could’ve scored if they’d been more clinical. 

India vs Syria LIVE: “We were scared”

“We were scared in the first half, but 3-0 does not show the reality. We deserved to score in the second half,” says coach Manolo Marquez, who has suffered his first loss as an India coach.

India vs Syria LIVE: The goalscorers

It was Mahmoud Al-Aswad who gave Syria a very early lead, in just the seventh minute. India had many chances in the second half, but Syria put the dagger in the 77th minute courtesy Daleho Irandust. And to rub salt on the wounds, a third in the 96th minute by Pablo Sabbag.

India vs Syria LIVE: Syria win Intercontinental Cup 2024!

A clinical performance by Syria tonight. They beat Mauritius 2-0, and they have demolished India 3-0. Despite India’s best efforts in the second half, Syria were devastating on the counter-attack and made India pay for their lapses.

FT: IND 0-3 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: 3-0. Game over.

Syria come down the left, squares it into the box and it is tapped home by Pablo Sabba. Miserable outcome for India. India finishes last in the Intercontinental Cup 2024.

80+6′ IND 0-3 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: India hit crossbar!

How did that not go in? Liston Colaco tries a shot miles out, takes the Syrian goalkeeper completely by surprise. The ball ricochets off the crossbar.

90+4′ IND 0-2 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: What a run

A fabulous run by Syria’s Mustafa Abdullatif down the right wing, as he dances past two or three Indian bodies. Tries to lay it off for a teammate, but a sliding challenge by Asish Rai denies Syria.

90+1′ IND 0-2 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Story of missed opportunities

For a lot of the second half, India have had Syria on the back foot. But it has been the clinical nature of Syria that has made the difference tonight.

89′ IND 0-2 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: What a shot!

Edmund Lalrindika, the only I-League player in the India squad, drives forward and takes a venomous shot, but it goes narrowly over the bar. Great intent from the young forward.

Moments later, Chhangte hits on the volley and cracks the crossbar!

88′ IND 0-2 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Asish Rai tries

Patient build-up for India ends with an erratic shot by Asish Rai on his weaker left foot from long range. Goes well over the bar.

84′ IND 0-2 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Syria score second

Oh dear! Just as India were coming into the game, dominating the second half, Syria strike the second goal against the run of play. Surely that’s the hammer blow. Midfielder Daleho Irandust scores.

77′ IND 0-2 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: ANOTHER chance!

Mahesh drives to the byline, gets the cross in, Nandha cannot connect well, and neither can Chhangte reach to the end of the scuffed shot. Still 0-1 down, but India have been the better side in the second half.

68′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Chhangte on the left wing

Lallianzuala Chhangte has switched flanks in the second half. Now operating on the left flank, the left-footed winger is being more direct, and getting into more shooting positions.

66′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Sahal substituted

Sahal Abdul Samad has been taken off. Naorem Mahesh Singh, the winger who has taken over the No. 11 shirt after Sunil Chhetri, comes on.

64′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Massive influence by Asish Rai

He did not have the best of games vs Mauritius, but what an impact so far from Asish Rai! Subbed in, he’s been involved positively in both defence and offence. 

62′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Another big chance denied!

India are getting closer and closer! Asish Rai whips in a brilliant cross, Manvir goes for it, and then Chhangte’s shot from the loose ball has to be denied by a sliding block. 

60′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Driving run by Sahal

Asish Rai wins it back, Sahal drives forward the length of the pitch, finds Chhangte on the left who gets a shot away, but is denied by a diving save. Much better from India!

55′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Early corners

Two early corners for India at the start of the second half. The first one was cleared away, the second is played short before being curled in to the box. But Syria defend.

49′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Second half starts

And the second half between India and Syria is underway. A goal is needed!

46′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Two changes it is

Manolo Marquez reacts. Two changes as India chase an equaliser.

Apuia replaces Suresh Wangjam in central midfield, and Asish Rai is on for Nikhil Poojary at right-back. Injection of pace.

India vs Syria LIVE: Changes?

It will be interesting to see whether Manolo Marquez responds with immediate substitutions. In the game against Mauritius, he made two changes at the start of the second half.

HT: IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Must-win for India

With Syria winning against Mauritius, but India only drawing, this match is a must-win for India if they hope to lift the Intercontinental Cup 2024. So far, it seems like Syria are powering their way through to the trophy.

India vs Syria LIVE: Still hope?

India have been more composed and cohesive tonight than at any point against Mauritius. However, up against a better team, they’ve been cut open a few times, one of which led to the only goal of the game.

But with only a one goal deficit, India will still retain hope.

HT: IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Close, but wide

A teasing set piece sent in by Lallianzuala Chhangte towards the far post, but the final effort once again goes wide of the Syrian goal. And that signals HALF-TIME.

HT: IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Sahal tests Syria!

Sahal drives a low shot at goal, but the goalkeeper makes a superb save. A multitude of chances follow, specially for Chhangte and Poojary at the edge of the box, but Syria scramble to defend. Two minutes of stoppage time.

45+1′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Five minutes left in the half

Five more minutes to go in the first half. Can India find a dramatic equaliser?

41′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Nandha shoots, but offside!

Manvir wins a header, lays it on for Nandha who takes a venomous shot at goal, BUT Manvir was offside! Still, positive signs for the men in blue.

38′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: India’s new weapon

A big weapon being used by India to transition has been long throws by Gurpreet. He is clearing the halfway line with ease using his throws, and that is proving to be a method more and more.

37′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Nearly again for Syria

A corner into the danger zone has to be saved first by Gurpreet, who has to go low. The ball is cleared with much difficulty. Nervous moments for the Indian defence.

35′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: The big threat

The big threat lies in the fact that Syria have the quality to break the Indian defence at any moment, even against the run of play. Particularly down the wings, Syria are devastating with their pace and passing.

34′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Free-kick for India

Sahal puts the ball in towards the box from the set piece, but it is well defended by Syria. Slowly, but surely, India are growing into the game.

33′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Chance for India!

Nandha finds some space and curls in a cross from the left wing. Manvir leaps to reach it but the goalkeeper collects. Couple of moments later, another cross from the left, this time by Subhasish. Chhangte rises but sees his header go over.

26′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Al-Aswad dancing

Mahmoud Al-Aswad is enjoying himself. Dances past Anwar Ali, who is left sliding on the floor. Drives to the byline to cut it back, but the shot from the edge of the area is blocked and cleared out of danger.

24′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Massive chance goes begging!

Relief for India! Syria cut open the Indian press and bypass the defence with ease. Striker Alaa Al Dali is sent through on goal, but misses his 1v1 against Gurpreet, his finish going wide.

21′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Good pressure from India

Nearly 20 minutes into the contest, but the pressure from the Indian forwards has been pretty resilient. However, Syria are doing an excellent job of containing it.

20′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: More composed in possession

India look a lot more comfortable on the ball today, despite conceding the early goal. The addition of Anwar Ali at the back and Suresh Wangjam in midfield seems to have made a big difference in that regard.

18′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Syrian spark

Syria are putting together some nice combination moves, and the latest comes through the left flank. They cut inside and attempt a shot which is high and wide, though.

16′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: First attack for India

Manvir looks to send Nandha through with a chipped over the top ball, and Nandha did well to be onside. However, he is outmuscled by the Syrian defender.

13′ IND 0-1 SYR

India vs Syria LIVE: Another chance!

Syria are commanding the early minutes of the game. They get another shot away, that goes just beyond the goal.

10′ IND 0-1 SYR