Syria U-20 vs India U-20 Player Ratings: Danny & Omang shine in AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
Shami scored the solitary goal for India.
The India U-20 football team defeated Syria 1-0 in their first match of the group stage fixtures of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers on the 31st of August 2025 at the Do’stilk Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
In the first half, the Blue Colts were unable to construct meaningful attack with the possession they were getting.
Whenever they got the ball, they had to succumb to the press of the Syrian players and gift the possession to them. India failed to get past the Syria midfield and venture deep into the attack, and even if they did most of the attempts in the final third were weak and at half-time the score remained nil-nil.
The second half started with a much better tempo and both teams slowly started to test the opponent backline.
However, despite both teams trying to find the opener, the scoreline remained in parity. In the 86th minute, the Blue Colts finally broke the deadlock of the match and got the advantage, courtesy of Shami, who easily scored off a cut-back from Arbash.
From then, the momentum shifted and suddenly India were dominating the game. The substitutes Gunleiba, Omang and Arbash created trouble for the Syrian backline for probably the first time in the match and even scored the second goal, which was mistakenly chopped off by the referee, calling it offside.
Despite this, India kept the attack high and at full-time, they secured a 1-0 victory.
India Player Ratings
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Suraj Singh Aheibam – 6.5/10
Was only tested once in the first-half. Apart from that, Suraj had pretty much nothing to do in the first-half despite Syria winning a good number of set-pieces as most attempts did not find the target.
In the second half, Suraj kept his eyes on the ball and made some fantastically timed jump to prevent Syria from scoring.
Distributed the ball well, provided some good long balls and overall, even though he looked shaky initially, he did well and was reliable between the sticks.
Yaipharemba Chingakham – 5/10
Was decent with the press and defended pretty well.
However, in some instances Yaipharemba left some space in the backline which helped the opponents to break the defence and make their offensive initiatives.
Bungson Takhellambam – 5/10
Unwantedly held possession and tried to venture forward with the ball, however when the opponents pressed he was dispossessed and created some risky situations for India.
Sumit Sharma – 5/10
Controlled possession in the back but struggled during the opponents press and nearly gave the ball away in a few instances. Later, Sumit did well to clear the ball and keep the danger away.
Shami Singamayum – 7/10
Did well to rise above the opponents and clear the ball away during corners.
However, in the midfield, Shami struggled in passing accuracy, gifting the possession to Syria. Stepped in to take a free kick from a decent position, which he slipped and fumbled.
In the second half, Shami excellently chipped the ball inside the ball to Arbash, who cut the ball back to Shami who took a shot to seamlessly find the back of the net and provide India with the advantage.
Danny Laishram – 7/10
Danny was good in the midfield, winning duels and intercepting the ball to prevent the opponents from progressing forward in their attack. He also provided some through passes into the final third to create chances for the Blue Colts.
In the second half, when Danny dropped in the midfield, India looked in a better shape and created some decent chances.
Took the first shot on target for India in the match and was substituted in the second half.
Rohen Chaphamayum – 5/10
Was physical and commited some rash fouls in the defensive half. Apart from that, was average and did not have much involvement in the game.
Malemngamba Thokchom – 4/10
Thokchom was a bit shaky and gave away possession in the defensive third and gifted chances to the opponents.
He was involved in every aspect of the game but displayed a patchy performance. Failed to mark Ahmad Khalaf in the second half, and the opponents nearly broke the deadlock.
Vishal Yadav – 6/10
Was pretty active in the left flank and attempted a couple of crosses into the 18-yard-box, which however did not create much of an impact as most of them either lacked power or were overhit.
Later, he made some attacks and helped to mount pressure on the opponents.
Rishikanta Laishram – 5.5/10
Rishikanta looked decent in the midfield and did well whenever he had control of the ball. However, as the defenders failed to provide the ball to the midfield, Rishikanta was unable to display his potential on the pitch.
Dropped back to the defence whenever the team wanted him and made some good tackles to resist the opponents from enterring the penalty box.
Hateem Ali – 4/10
Hateem Ali did not have any major significant contributions in the first-half.
In the second half, Hateem Ali got a brilliant through ball into the penalty box which potentially could have been the opener. However to his dismay he shockingly fumbled. Apart from that, he was decent in some link up plays.
Substitutes
Gunleiba – 6.5/10
Gunleiba was a potent threat for Syria in the final minutes of the game and combined well with Omang and Arbash to pile pressure on the opponents. He almost doubled the lead for India, but his goal was ruled out for an offside.
Omang Dodum – 7/10
Omang injected pace into India’s attack in the final quarter of the game as he made some accelerated runs and provided some brilliant balls inside the box and kept knocking on the opponent doors.
Md Arbash – 7/10
Arbash came in as a substitute in the second half and changed the momentum of the game. He effectively won the chip from Shami, made a run towards the touchline and provided a cut back to Shami who scored the winner.
Asher Rebello – 6/10
Asher Rebello looked decent off the bench but did not have much of an impact in the game.
Prashan Jajo – 6/10
Similar to Rebello’s performance, Prashan came on in the second half and looked decent but did not have much impact.
Which team won in India U-20 vs Syria U-20?
India won against Syria in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers 1-0.
Who is the head coach of India U-20 men’s football team?
Mahesh Gawali is the head coach of India U-20 men’s football team.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.