Syria with all the possession
18’ Well not all the possession but 66% of it to be exact. India are clearing their lines constantly. In desperation. A statistic says they have done so 12 times in the opening 15 minutes. Erm.
Intercontinental Cup 2019: India End Campaign With 1-1 Draw With Syria | Highlights
Narender Gahlot's 52nd minute opener was cancelled out by Firas al khatib's penalty in the 71st minute. India held out for a hard fought draw though to win their first points of the tournament. The result meant Syria crash out.
Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Syria Intercontinental Cup match below.
Indian football team ended its 2019 Intercontinental Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Syria in Ahmedabad on July 16. The result, though no an outright victory, will give some semblance of consolation for Igor Stimac's men after two back-to-back losses in the tournament. It was, however, a disappointing night for Syria, the top ranked team in the world. The result saw them crash out of the tournament, finishing third in the four-team standings. (Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Syria Intercontinental Cup match below)
The hero of the match for India was Narender Gahlot. The young defender gave India the lead in the 52nd minute, capping off a passage of play that saw India dominate the proceedings a wee bit. But Syria soon started pressing, and got their equaliser via a penalty. Jerry Mawihmingthanga's late challenge in the box resulted in the referee pointing to the spot and Syrian skipper Firas al Khatib converted it.
Despite a new look defence and another host of changes by Stimac, this time there seemed to be more cohesion within the XI, which played out a tough 1-1 draw.
India went into halftime locked goalless despite Syria dominating the proceedings with more possession and 10 shots to India’s one. The second half though was a hugely different performance from India. They came out invigorated and Narender Gahlot’s opener via a perfectly placed header in the 52nd minute really opened up the game.
While the tournament may not have been about searching for results as much as about searching for players and an efficient playing system, this result is important not just for the team’s confidence but also for Stimac himself.
The next time you may see India will be at the World Cup qualifiers, the draw for which happens tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur. Keep your fingers crossed.
For now, rejoice, India have a point from their home tournament. And a performance that was worth a few more.
Live blog
Rhythm down the Right
22’ Kotal plays a ball down the right to Udanta, but its a touch heavy. The Flash can’t get to it and rubs his head in despair.
Are You Listening to THIS?
Are you watching the game and reading this blog? Then go a step further, check out our commentary for this game. We have sorted out our technical glitches and are now on air. Here:
Chhangte’s Work Rate
23’ A huge concern before this game was the inability of India’s wingers tracking back. Holicharan Narzary’s importance in this team was solely for his work rate. Chhangte is doing that tonight. He is working hard to help out the defence. In February this year, we at 420 grams got to spend some time with him. Here’s the interview.
Syrian Chances
24’ Syria have a chance. A cross from the right is met with a perfect header. Gurpreet anticipates though and dives and grabs it cleanly.
Gurpreet and a Goalkeeper’s Achilles
27’ Gurpreet cops a fair amount of stick -- not least from our own in house analysts -- for his decision making or lack of it. But in fairness to the big man, it is tough to expect a goalkeeper trust himself in 50-50 situations when he is playing in front of a flaky back four.
Alkhatib’s Touch
28’ Alkhatib has another chance to give this game a goal. A long ball is completely missed by India’s defence. They are caught nowhere and Alkhatib brings the ball down with a beautiful first touch. Absolute gem of a first touch. And then cutely tries to put it into the far corner with the outside of his boot. It goes wide.
Chhangte Breaks Free
31’ But a little earlier than required. He is offside by half a boot, but regardless, has a shot and forces the goalkeeper into a save.
Drawing the Boundaries
32’ So if this game finishes even stevens, then Syria will go through because they have scored the more fan friendly goals. We kid. Syria have to win to qualify for the final.
Pointlessly Possessive
35’ Syria are being a bit wasteful with the ball. They are holding the possession, but they aren’t doing anything with it. If I was their coach I’d insist they target the right side of India’s defence. Not enough back up there.
Corner and A Foul
37’ Syria have a corner, they play it short and Sahal is needlessly active again. He catches the player late and concedes a foul. Its in a nice area for a cross. And they do cross but it is dodgily cleared.
First Card of the day
39’ India have a half chance. Madar Rao Desai finds Chhetri with a good ball from the left, Chhetri is in the box but crowded out, and his attempt to play Udanta in is wasted. Syria go on the counter. And Narender fouls. Yellow.
Mandar to the Forefront
41’ Mandar Rao Desai again puts through a good ball. No reward though. India are holding the ball a bit now. And with the half almost at a close if they can make it count, everyone will go into the break a little relieved.
What is your aural experience?
44’ Not much to report from the game. But if you do want to hear some different commentary, then join in here:
HALF TIME
So that’s that. For the second time this tournament India go into half time with their goal untouched. For the first time though there is no goals in an Indian game at half time! Honestly, seeing as this is our commentary debut we were expecting some fireworks. Despite Sandesh’s absence, India’s defence have held firm. They have also been a bit lucky. And Alkhatib, the Syrian captain has been wasteful. The Syrian coach will have a lot to say to them.
And We are back
46’ Here we go again. India have had a good opening half, even if the stats make for abysmal reading. India had one shot to go with Syria’s 10. But. The scoreline is locked dead. So there you go. Hah.
Syria go right side
48’ Syria get some delightful play going from the right. Alkhatib turns provider though and plays in Almarmour. His first touch lets him down.
The Flash down the right
50’ India go down the right via Udanta, Chhtri’s brilliant individual play draws three Syrian players and releases him. Udanta’s cross is cleared for an Indian corner. No reward though.
India have the opener!!!!!!
Narender Gahlot scores
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