India 0-3 Syria, Intercontinental Cup 2024 Highlights: SYR Snatch Title From Blue Tigers With Convincing Win

Indian football fans, Assemble: Coming out of the Paralympic frenzy, the focus now shifts to the Intercontinental Cup 2024. India take on Syria on Monday, September 9 -- a match between them is expected to be one of in-depth action. Coming off a frustrating opening day goalless draw against Mauritius, the Blue Tigers badly need a win if they are to keep their hopes of winning successive title alive. Don't miss out on what's set to be an intense and crucial clash. Get all the updates right here

India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (C) (GK), Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Anwar Ali, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Manvir Singh, Thounaojam Jeakson Singh, Nandha Kumar, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Nikhil Chandrashekar Poojary

Syria: Aiham Hanz Ousou, Khaled Kourdoghli, Mahmoud Alaswad, Daleho Mohsen Irandust, Thaer Krouma (C), Mohammed Osman, Emiliano Javier Amor, Noah Leon Shamoun, Moaiad Alkhouli, Alaa Aldin Yasin Dali, Elias Hadaya (GK)

Matches Played: 7

India: 2

Draw: 2

Syria: 3

Both teams walk onto the pitch hand in hand with their young player escorts. The stadium is awash in blue, with fans showing their support for the Blue Tigers. Dignitaries are shaking hands with the players.

Are we ready for the match? Yes, we are. INDIA, INDIA

And now it’s time for the national anthems, starting with Syria’s followed by India’s. The crowd is already brimming with pride and excitement.

The first half has begun as Syria gets things rolling against India at GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad.

India concede the first goal, and the stadium falls silent. It’s a wake-up call for the Blue Tigers. Mahmoud Al Aswad takes the shot, and it finds the net. There's still time for India to respond, and fans are eagerly waiting for a revenge goal.

Syrians are playing the game of well-structured and technical moves. The Indians look a bit dazed for the moment. However, Chhangte and the other keep pushing ahead and looking for their chances to get through the net.

India's struggling big time, and you can see the tension on the crowd's faces. Syria almost scored again, and India’s nowhere near the goal. We need to cheer louder and get that adrenaline pumping.

Chhangte leaps high, heading it to the net but sees the header going wide. Nandhakumar drives forward with the ball and lays it to Subasish Bose, who makes his characteristic run up the flank from left-back. Subasish Bose sends in a looping cross, and Chhangte leaps high to head it toward the goal, but it flies over the crossbar.

Daleho Irandust receives a yellow card for a tackle on Anwar Ali. The resulting free kick, floated in by Sahal Samad, is cleared by the defense.

Then came the most important save of Gurpreet when he denied the attempt of Alaa Aladin to head in the ball at a corner kick. The ball seemed to have kissed the back of the net, but the fingertips of Gurpreet kept it away.

That was the last chance of the first half for India to score as Chhangte's freekick failed to find any takers inside the box. India trails at halftime, and it seems like -- Syria are on course to win the Cup.

And after a break, India are looking to score first as the second half.

Changes For India

Asish Rai, Apuia (Lalengmawia Ralte) come in.

The Blue Tigers have already caught up with Syria on corners as India starts the second half with purpose.

Change For India - Naorem Mahesh Singh replaces Sahal Abdul Samad.

Play is paused as Syria's Khaled receives medical attention, and it looks like he'll need some time to recover. Meanwhile, Daleho and Alaa Aldin are subbed off for Mawas and Elmar.

Daleho doubled Syria's lead as he entered the box from the right and slipped the ball past Gurpreet, who failed to stop the weak shot. India is now struggling even more, and the chances of a comeback are slim.

With five minutes added to stoppage time, India still got a chance to make something happen. It looks like Manolo Marquez will start his India tenure with a draw and a loss in this tournament, but there's still time to change the script.

The added time plays in Syria's favor as they secure the win.

That's it - Syria squad breezes past India to claim the Intercontinental Cup, with Manolo Marquez and his team unable to score in either of their matches in the tournament.

Syria defeated India 3-0 to win the 2024 Intercontinental Cup title at GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday.

“I am angry with the first half...don’t like teams who are scared. The first goal could have been avoided. The scoreline doesn’t paint the real picture, we deserved to score. They killed us in the attack,” he said.

“Today we still had chances, unlike the last game. We were brave in this second half, It was good in second half much better than previous game and this game's first half,” said Manolo Marquez.

It was a tough night for India coach Manolo Marquez as his team fell 3-0 to Syria, which claimed its first Intercontinental Cup 2024 at GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Monday. That’s it for our tournament coverage. We’ll be back tomorrow with fresh updates. Until then, take care.