India fail to pass 'Syrian test', go down 2-3 in Nehru Cup

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) India went down fighting 2-3 against Syria in a crucial Nehru Cup round robin match here tonight.

The host's went into the match aiming for full points which would have almost assured them of a place in the final but their more fancied rivals showed them why they are the strong favourites to clinch the title.

With today's win, Syria virtually booked a final berth with an all-win record from three matches so far. They play lowly Cambodia on Saturday.

India, however, have to beat Kyrgyzstan on Sunday if they want to qualify for the final.

Syria were clearly the better side throughout, controlling the midfield and creating several chances where the hosts were content to play second fiddle with their midfield out of sorts and failing to support the upfront.

The Indian attack was also blunted after captain Baichung Bhutia and his strike partner Sunil Chhetri were closely marked by their opponents.

Khaled Albaba (24th minute) and Zyad Chaabo (45+1 and 65th) scored for Syria while Sunil Chhetri (13th) and substitute Ajayan Nair (81) scored for the hosts.

The match started on an electrifying note with Indian captain firing a low right footer in the second minute only to hit the back of the net.

The near full house home crowd rose to the feet when India took the lead in the 13th minute with Chhetri, after being fed by Clifford Miranda, finding the net with his right footer after deflecting from the outstretched hands of Syrian goalkeeper Mowssab Blahowss.

But the Syrians was far from being rattled with the initial setback and they struck back in the 24th minute with Khaled Al Baba heading home from a corner taken by captain Maher Al Sayed.

The West Asians were unstoppable after that and the Indians had to do desperate defending most of the time.

Employing a mix of fast and long range passes, the Syrians unsettled the Indian defence time and again. From one such attack in the 29th minute, Aatef Jenyat shot over from close range after receiving a cross from left flank by Mohammad Al Zeno.

Two minutes later, Chaabo's stinging right footer was blocked by Indian goalkeeper Suibrata Paul.

In the meantime, Baichung got a golden chance to surge ahead in the 39th minute, but the Sikkimese after getting better of two defenders shot wide from inside the box.

Syria took the lead at the stroke of half time from a defensive blunder. From a long pass from the Syrian half all the Indian defenders stood still for an offside but Maher Al sayed darted down the left flank and gave a low pass to unmarked Chaabo who had no difficulty in slamming home into the empty net.

The second half saw India playing with much cohesiveness, as they seemed to have come to their own self and made some good moves, but the midfield still failed to create chances for Baichung and his strike partner Chhetri.

Chaabo made it 3-1 in the 65th minute with his right footer finding the net after the ball deflected from Gouramangi Singh's feet.

Ajayan, who substituted Cliffoird Miranda in the 70th minute, reduced the margin from an opportunistic strike. He controlled the ball in the Syrian half, ran a few paces and dumped the ball into the net through a fierce left footer from around 20 metres.

Two minutes later, Baichung was brought down near the box and Steven Dias free kick missed the crosspiece by inches.

India's final chance for an equalizer came in the injury time but Pradeep's right footed long ranger was palmed away by the Syrian goalkeeper.

Kyrgyzstan play Bangladesh tomorrow at 1900 hrs IST.

UNI