India's head-to-head record against AFC Asian Cup Group B opponents Syria

India have beaten Syria quite a number of times.

The Syrian national team has appeared six times at the AFC Asian Cup without ever having progressed from the group stage. In the last edition, needing a win from their last group match, Syria lost 3-2 to Australia, whom they will face again at the group stage of the 2023 edition.

Placed at 90 in the current FIFA men’s rankings, Syria will have to punch above their weight to qualify to the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup. Syria’s form is not encouraging either with losses to Bahrain, Oman, Venezuela and Belarus in friendlies conducted over the last year.

The Indian and Syrian football teams have some history thanks to their participation in the Nehru Cup over the years. In this piece, we will take a look at the Blue Tigers’ last five meetings with the Qasioun Eagles at the international stage.

India 1-1 Syria (July 16, 2019)

This is the only match India have played against any of their Group B opponents under Igor Stimac. The two sides faced off at EKA Arena, Ahmedabad in the 2019 Hero Intercontinental Cup.

India let go of an early chance to score in the sixth minute when both Sahal Abdul Samad and Lallianzuala Chhangte missed an easy tap-in opportunity from Udanta Singh’s low cross. After an uneventful first half, the men in blue took the lead in the 51st minute with Narender Gahlot’s header off Anirudh Thapa’s corner. Following a phase of intense pressure from the Syrian team, Jerry Lalrinzuala conceded a clumsy penalty, allowing Firas Al Khatib to equalise.

This was only Igor Stimac’s fifth game in charge. There were signs of encouragement. The Indian backline of Gahlot, Rahul Bheke, Pritam Kotal and Mandar Rao Dessai put up a great defensive display. Midfielders Amarjit Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad also impressed in the 1-1 draw.

Defeat at the hands of Tajikistan and North Korea earlier in the group stage meant that India had virtually nothing to play for. However, the draw ended Syria’s hopes of progressing in the tournament.

India 2-1 Syria (August 22, 2012)

In the opener of the 2012 Nehru Cup, captain Sunil Chhetri who had then just returned from the Sporting Lisbon camp, gave the defending champions the lead in the additional time of first half through a header. Clifford Miranda provided the cross after some clever play to deceive Syrian defender Jehad Albour. 

In the 84th minute, substitute Anthony Pereira doubled the lead with a left-footed curler. Alaa Al Shbli scored from inside the box as he connected with Ouday Abduljaffal's free-kick in additional time but it was too little too late for the Eagles.

Earlier in the game, there were instances where the Blue Tigers strung several passes together but following rain and interruption around the 30th minute, both sides resorted to long balls more.

While Syria did not make it past the first round, India went on to win the 2012 Nehru Cup by beating Cameroon on penalties in the final.

India 1-1 (5-4) Syria (August 31, 2009)

The previous meeting between the two national teams also took place in the Nehru Cup but this time around it was the final.

The battle was a cagey affair that ended goalless in regulation time. In the 114th minute of extra-time, Renedy Singh put the Blue Tigers ahead. But Ali Diab stunned the 35,000 in attendance at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi, when he equalised in the third minute of additional time.

The match will be remembered for Subrata Paul’s heroics in the shootout where he saved three of the seven penalties taken by Syria. India’s scorers in the shootout were Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chhetri, Steven Dias, Anwar Ali and Surkumar Singh. 

The 5-4 victory on penalties saw the Blue Tigers lift the Nehru Cup for the second time. It was a memorable win considering the fact that the Syrian men’s football team were then ranked higher than India in FIFA rankings.

India 0-1 Syria (August 29, 2009)

Two days before their encounter in the final, the two sides met in the inconsequential last match of the group stage at the 2009 Nehru Cup. Coach Bob Houghton chose to preserve stars like Sunil Chhetri and captain and player of the tournament Bhaichung Bhutia for the final instead of starting them in this game.

Poor marking during a free-kick allowed Syria’s Ali Diab to score a header in the 18th minute. In their bid to score an equaliser, the Indian side exposed their defence multiple times but Subrata Paul ensured that the score remained 1-0.

India 1-0 Syria (August 29, 2007) 

Upon coach Bob Houghton’s insistence, among other reasons, AIFF reinstated the Nehru Cup after an absence of 10 years. Like the second edition, the first edition of the tournament also saw India take on Syria in the final.

Heading into the final, the Qasioun Eagles were the favourites due to their unbeaten run in the competition and the form of striker Zyad Chaabo who had netted five goals in the competition.

But it turned out to be India’s night as NP Pradeep’s goal in the 44th minute secured a historic first-ever Nehru Cup trophy for the Blue Tigers in front of the 20,000 fans present at the Ambedkar Stadium. Ayan Wael’s red card for kicking defender Surkumar Singh added to Syria’s misery. Interestingly, the Blue Tigers lifted their maiden Nehru Cup on National Sports Day.

The AFC Asian Cup Group B match against Syria on 23rd January, 2024 will be crucial for the Blue Tigers on two counts. Firstly, it is India’s last match in Group B. Secondly, Syria is the closest to India in terms of FIFA rankings, sitting merely 11 places above them at 90th spot. Considering the might of Australia and Uzbekistan, India’s best chance of getting points could lie in this encounter. The Qasioun Eagles’ current form might not be the best but in Hector Cuper (appointed earlier this year) they have a world-class manager who is best known for managing Valencia to two consecutive Champions League finals.