Syria came up with the goods on the evening with a clinical 3-0 win over India in the final of the Intercontinental Cup 2024. Manolo Marquez fielded out a fairly decent side for this clash with Gurpreet starting in goal. Bheke, Anwar, Suresh and Subhasish started at the back. Jeakson, Nandha Kumar, Chhangte, Sahal and Nikhil Poojary were in charge of midfield with Manvir Singh up top.
The Syrians also fielded out a full-strength side with Emiliano, Noah Shamoun and Alaa Aldeen Al Dali leading the line in attack. The game started on a swift note with both teams trying to test each other’s resolve.
However, it didn’t take much time for the Syrians to strike. Mahmoud Alaswad gave Syria the lead in the 7th minute! He cut in into the box and tried to cross the ball, but the Indian defenders blocked his attempt. However, the ball found its way back to him and he let fly a toe-poke from the outside of his boot that beat Gurpreet at the near post.
After that, the Blue Tigers were just a spectator throughout the game and despite starting strong in the second half, Syria doubled their lead in the 76th minute, thanks to Daleho. He entered India’s box with ease from the right and passed the ball right under Gurpreet, who failed to stop a weak attempt. The Syrians then wrapped up the game with a late strike in the 96th minute, thanks to Pablo Sabbag. The Syrian goalkeeper too pulled off some good saves from India’s rare attempts to help his team keep a clean sheet and win the Intercontinental Cup, 2024. Here are all the India vs Syria Player Ratings.
Indian National Football Team Player Ratings vs Syria
Goalkeeper
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 5/10 – Conceded goals he shouldn’t have at this level. Just not his day today.
Defenders
Nikhil Poojary – 5/10 – Poor all round, couldn’t handle Shamoun and Irandust. Was substituted at half-time.
Rahul Bheke – 5.5/10 – Tried to stop the Syrian attack as much as he could, but was almost just as good as the rest of India’s poor defence.
Anwar Ali – 5.5/10 – Tried being calm among the Syrian storm of attacks in the first half, couldn’t do much for all the three goals conceded.
Subhasish Bose – 5/10 – Couldn’t handle Al-Aswad at all as the Syrian winger ran circles around him throughout the game.
Midfielders
Lallianzuala Chhangte – 5.5/10 – Ineffective throughout the game, although he did try to get past Kourdoghli multiple times, albeit unsuccessfully.
Suresh Wangjam – 5/10 – Poor first half and was rightfully hooked off at half-time, displayed some of his poorest football in the blue shirt.
Jeakson Singh – 5.5/10 – Tried to win his duels in midfield, but the Syrian players physically overpowered him for most of the game.
Nandha Kumar – 5.5/10 – Average throughout his stint in the game, might get dropped from future games.
Forwards
Manvir Singh – 5.5/10 – Spectator whenever Syria had possession, couldn’t do anything to affect the game in any way.
Sahal Abdul Samad – 6/10 – Played just beyond the hour mark and gets an extra point in his rating because of his tireless efforts in pressing the Syrian defence.
Substitutes
Liston Colaco – 6/10
Mahesh Singh – 5.5/10
Lalengmawia Ralte – 5.5/10
Asish Rai – 5/10
Edmund Lalrindika – 5/10
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Syria National Football Team Player Ratings vs India
Goalkeeper
Elias – 7/10 – Kept a clean sheet and withered off whatever India conjured in attack.
Defenders
Kourdoghli – 7/10 – Excellent from the left-back, kept Chhangte and Manvir in his pocket throughout the game.
Amor – 7.5/10 – Handled Manvir and Sahal with extreme ease with his physicality and positional knowhow.
Ousou – 7.5/10 – Held his own when the Blue Tigers started the second half well, made some crucial interventions from Manvir’s attempts.
Al Khouli – 8/10 – Handled Nandha Kumar with ease, followed by absolutely dominating Mahesh Singh when he came on as a substitute.
Midfielders
Krouma – 7/10 – Ineffective throughout the game, although he did try to get past Kourdoghli multiple times, albeit unsuccessfully.
Osman – 7/10 – Poor first half and was rightfully hooked off at half-time, displayed some of his poorest football in the blue shirt.
Al Aswad – 9/10 – Best player on the pitch, scored the opening goal to lay the platform for Syria on the way to an easy win.
Irandust – 8.5/10 – Played as a number 10 and took his goal in the second half in amazing fashion. Second best player on the pitch.
Shamoun – 7.5/10 – Ran circles around Nikhil Poojary leading to the defender getting substituted off at half-time.
Forward
Alaa Aldin – 6.5/10 – On a day when his teammates shone, Aldin couldn’t convert his chances against a poor Indian defence.
Substitutes
Moayad Ajan – 6/10
Mahmoud Al-Mawas – 6.5/10
Pablo Sabbag – 8/10
Elmar Abraham – 7/10
Mustafa Abdullatif – 6.5/10