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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
The Simple and Beautiful Game
Not to worry. This is a much simpler game today. Its called football. Simple rules. They fit on an A4 sheet. Kick ball. Score goal. Over the course of the next ninety we will try to provide you with the nuances.
Line ups are here
India have a host of changes (unsurprisingly):
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Narender Gehlot, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Mandar Rao Desai, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Amarjit Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Udanta Singh, Sunil Chhetri (C)
A completely new look backline then. Erm.
Syria:
Ibrahim Alma (GK), Abdulla Al Shami, Youssef Al Hamwi, Md, Fares Al Arnaout, Ward Alslamh, Firas Alkhatib (C), Ahmad Alahmad, Tamer Hag Mohamad, Mohamed Anaz, Khalid Kourdoghli, Mohamad Almarmour
A Syrian in the I-League
All you regular Indian football fans will know of a Syrian player who plays in the I-League. Mahmoud Al Amnah played for Minerva Punjab last season, and has also previously played for East Bengal and most famously that brilliant Aizawl FC team which won the title in 2016-17 season. Uff. What a season that was.
Fan Power
If you’ve been following the news on Twitter you will know that members of the Blue Pilgirms -- the Indian football team fan group -- were accosted, harassed, bullied and threatened by people at the stadium to remove a banner which read ‘Football Doesn’t Matter. Money Does.’ The insinuation is fairly clear. It’s great to see fans raising their voices and making sure they are being heard. It is the only way Indian football will move forward. It is the only way any football moves forward.
Opposition in the House
There are a fair few Syrian fans in the stadium today. Which is absolutely brilliant to see. There is nothing like a colorful stadium.
Anthem time
And here we go! Our favourite part of the evening, an operatic rendition of Syria’s comes first. Quite melodious. Followed by…...
Kick Off
So here we go. India’s final fixture at the Intercontinental Cup. And Syria hoping it won’t be theirs. There’s bouncing Indian fans, and even our live commentary team is bouncing. Chhetri and co will be kicking off from left to right.
Red and Blue
Nothing like a classic clash between two teams kitted out in the old school red and blue. Syria have started the game, and they are tiki taka ing their way through right now. India are pressing high.
From the Right
Fed by a Chhetri header, Udanta punces into space on the right, and puts a low hard ball in. It is cleared easily by the Syrian defence.
One Two And Almost
Ridiculously good play by Syria. A simple onne two in the middle of the park releases their captain Alkhatib one on one with Gurpreet. Gurpret maks himself big and maybe its that simple adjustment that throws Alkhatib off. He shoots high and wide.
Right Side Wrong Result
Sahal skips past two Syrian defenders on the right, drives to the line and cuts back for Udanta in the box. Udanta cant find the cross though.
AAAAAAAARGH
7’ Another superb setup by Sahal releases Udanta on the right and this time he drives a perfect cross into the six yard area. Chhetri is sprinting in, but fails to connect. Was he brought down there? Replays suggest so! In any case, Chhetri doesn’t complain. And that was the best chance of the game. For now.
FREE KICK SYRIA
8’ Narender gets into a tussle with the Syrian winger on the left, and brings him down. Syria have a free kick down the left flank. Dangerous area, and can trouble the defence.
Bad Delivery
9’ But of course it isn’t a good delivery. India survive. Barely. Because Gurpreet does some absurd stuff coming out to punch.
Playing on the Break
10’ India will obviously not hold a majority of the possession in this game -- despite what Stimac wants. That much is clear. But as of now, they have lacked the incision and precision required when you play on the counter. Touches are heavier than usual.
Free Kick Syria
12’ Bhekenbauer concedes a free kick needlessly. 30 yards from goal on the right. Somewhat central.
Just wide
12’ The captain Alkhatib (at the centre of all the action) drives it low and hard to Gurpreet’s right. It isn’t on target. If it was on target it may have caused some problems.
Shot Speeds
15’ The broadcast shows the speed of that free kick at 102 kmph. From that distance acuracy matters more than speed though. Consider the previous game where DPR Korea got their opener from a similar position. That shot may have had lesser power, but was on point when it comes to positioning.
Needless Fouling
16’ India are fouling a lot. And a lot of that is because of committing unnecessarily in areas you don’t need to. Amarjit is guilty this time, but he is far from the most culpable. The defenders need to learn to hold back half a step, and not panic when in a compromising situation.
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