CNN Indonesia
Tuesday January 23, 2024 8:31 p.m. IWST
Syria achieved victory against India in the final Group B match of the 2023 Asian Cup. (REUTERS/IBRAHEEM AL OMARI)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Syria, who seemed dominant, managed to narrowly win 1-0 against India on the final day of Group B. Asian Cup 2023 at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Tuesday (23/1) evening WIB.
This result places Syria in third place in the standings with four points. Syria is behind Australia and Uzbekistan, who have confirmed their qualification for the round of 16 in Group B.
With a score of four points, Syria has an open opportunity to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams. Meanwhile, India will definitely be eliminated in the group stage as goalkeepers.
Syria immediately put pressure on the Syrian defense as soon as the referee blew the whistle for the start of the first half.
The Hector Cuper-coached team created confusion in India with the attacks they launched. Ibrahim Hesar had the opportunity with a kick that was aimed at goal but was anticipated by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh in the 17th minute.
India tried to counter the attack through team captain Sunil Chhetri in the 23rd minute. The experienced striker produced a header that didn't hit the target.
Syria then created a number of other opportunities. In the 39th minute, Ammar Ramadan tried to score a goal with a shot from outside the penalty area which was saved by Gurpreet.
At the start of injury time, Syria had two chances through Ezequiel Ham and Mouaiad Al Ajaan, but their efforts were thwarted by the Indian defense. This failure resulted in a goalless draw at the end of the first half.
Syria almost made a fatal error which caused them to be conceded at the start of the second half. Fortunately, a coordination error between the defending players only resulted in a corner.
In the 62nd minute, it was the Indian defender's turn to make a blunder. Fortunately, the mistake did not result in a goal as Omar Khrbin's unguarded header was still over the crossbar.
Syria, which continued to press, finally managed to break through the Indian goal in the 77th minute. Khrbin, who rushed into the penalty area, calmly fired a right-footed shot that found the back of Gurpreet's goal.
India tried to equalize after their goal was conceded. However, Igor Stimac's side struggled to create dangerous chances and had to come to terms with losing 0-1 to Syria late in the second half.
Align
Syria (4-4-2): Ahmad Madanieh; Abdul Rahman Weiss, Aiham Ousou, Thaer Krouma, Moayad Al Ajan; Mahmood Alaswad, Jalil Elias, Ezequiel Ham, Ammar Ramadan; Ibrahim Hesar, Pablo Sabbag
India (4-2-3-1): Gurpreet Singh; Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Akash Mishra; Pouia, Deepak Tangri; Lallianzuala Chhange, Manvir Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Sunil Chhetri
(jal/sry)
