Gahlot gets the first
52’ From a second corner, Narender Gahlot rises highest, and Chhetri draws two of them away. Gahlot, the youngster from Delhi scores the opener!!!! This is a real shocker for Syria!! India lead!!!
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
Second half woes
55’ India have conceded 6 off 9 goals in the second half of this tournament. They may have the lead, but now they have to hold it. And almost immediately, a foul give Syria a free kick and a chance to get level. They waste it, blasting it high and wide. The ball is still falling as we type….
Half chance
57’ That goal has given India some much needed self belief. They are playing with much more purpose and speed. Chhangte plays Chhetri in the box, and the captain takes a shot when perhaps cutting it back was a better option
Syria’s Big Dilemma
60’ Syria make their first substitution. And their coach is on his feet, screaming his head off. He has cause to be annoyed. The team had an opportunity to put the game away, but they didn’t and now they have conceded.
Zig Zag Through the Blues
61’ Syria play some superb football, passing it through India’s midfield, to open uo space in the box for a shot. It goes wide though. Gurpreet had it covered anyway.
THE BIG GAP
64’ On our off field commentary (are you not watching this?) the discussion is about how to change the way the national team plays, these same boys need to be taught to play so for their clubs. Which isn't the case.
Al Khatib sees red
65’ Al Khatib has completely lose his head. He gets a yellow for a foul and he is fuming. Spit is dribbling down his beard, his eyes are wide and raging. His hands are waving about in anger. This could get ugly. But within a minute he is calm. Woah!!! This is the Hulk!
Syria Looking clueless
67’ Syria aren’t getting themselves back into this playing like this. They are looking a bit without a plan. India are also doing much better closing the game down. The midfield and the defence are gelling much better than previous encounters.
Udanta Brings the Tricks
70’ Udanta Singh does something special with the ball there. He turns, twists, cuts back and wins a foul. Our crew has for a long while been talking about how this boy needs to leave and play abroad to improve his game. A lot of problems come built in though. A fear of the unknown the biggest.
We Enter The Void
72’ That’s it then. 15 minutes to go. And not only will India get their first points of the tournament, but also do so against a team that was hands on favourite to get to the final. Remember, Syria demolished North Korea 5-2!
Syria Go Wide
72’ Chhangte tracks back and helps the defence. Syria win a corner. But do nothing with it.
India get a Sub In
74’ India get their first change in. Jerry Lalrinzuala replaces Mandar Rao Desai. Like for like. This is about ensuring physically India don’t suffer in the dying stages of the game.
Young India!
77’ Looking at this India XI on the pitch right now, it is tough to not get too excited (we are beaming from end to end). Between Thapa, Chhangte, Udanta, Sahal, Amarjit, Narender and Jerry, Indian football’s future is sorted for the considerable future. These boys are so young and so together.
Parking the Bus
79’ India are very obviously parking the bus. And this never goes well for India…
Syria have a penalty
Curse our black tongues and keyboards. Jerry is drawn into a needless foul and brings the Syrian winger down on the edge of the box. Clear penalty. Alkhatib lines it up.
Syria Equalize
78’ Alkhatib dances his way to the ball and puts it to Gurpreet’s right. Nothing to be done. Ugh!
Sub Trouble
Igor Stimac had just brought Jerry on to replace Mandar Rao Desai, who seemed to be suffering cramp. In hindsight one may wonder how bad that was. Never a good idea to replace a back four.
Alkhatib Goes Hulk again
82’ Alkhatib goes down in the box! Jerry again! But the referee waves it away. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief, but Alkhatib loses his head again! He feels seriously aggrieved.
Amarjit Gets Yellow
83’ Again a needless tackle. He comes in from the back and brings the Syrian attacker down. There were two defenders helping him out. There was no need for that tackle. Syria have a free kick central about 25 yards out. Great position. India make a change. Manvir comes on for Udanta.
Up and Over
84’ Alkhatib jogs up -- treating it like a penalty -- and shoots at goal, straight at Gurpreet too, who tips it over. Syrian have a corner. From which Alkhatib gets another header, but it goes over.
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