AFC Asian Cup, India vs Syria Match Result: Blue Tigers Drop Out Of Tournament Without Scoring A Goal

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India vs Syria Match Result, AFC Asian Cup 2023: India fold their campaign in the AFC Asian Cup early stages with a 0-1 loss to Syria in their last group match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Tuesday (January 23).

Even after displaying a commendable performance, India drop out of the competition with 0 points from their three games while Omar Khribin's 76th-minute goal dashed India's slender hope of reaching the knockout stages.

To make it taste further bitter, Sunil Chhetri and forwards failed to breach the net even once this tournament. This was also India's fourth unsuccessful attempt to reach the knockout stages since finishing runners-up in 1964.

Just like their last two games, India began their match in high spirits with 2 attacks in 5 minutes. India managed to hold off Syria in the first half to a 0-0 draw. However, it was certainly an exciting half, full of events all over the field.

Naorem Mahesh Singh and Abdul Rahman Oues got into an altercation when Naorem brought him down and Oues reacted rashly by physically pushing Naorem down. It could've costed India when Deepak Tangri threw his body to clear the ball inside the box.

However, Ammar Ramadan got involved and fell down. The referee was close and saw no foul play, so Syria received no penalty. It looked difficult for the Indian players to take the ball ahead of the Syrian defenders with their pace and physicality.

However, when all fails, there are set pieces and unfortunately, the Blue Tigers weren't able to turn those in their favour as well. Fortune was favouring India as Syria wasn't able to find the back of the net either.

However, that bit of luck ran out for India when Omar Khribin broke down the deadlock. Khribin, one of Syria's best players came on at the start of the second half and made the difference for his nation at the 76th minute.

Ibrahim Hesar received a favourable pass at the left flank when he decided to take a cross inside to Khribin who beat Rahul Bheke to score the only goal of the match. India kept fighting till the last minute of the game.

However, they needed to win to at least have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. Scoring even once would not have helped India and even getting one shot on target always looked difficult for the Blue Tigers.