And so it ended, with no objective scored and some extent received. India went into the hardest group of the 2024 Asian Cup when it comes to common rating anticipating nothing. Barring a limp first half towards Uzbekistan, they put up a struggle managing three goalless halves towards higher-ranked groups. Omar Khrbin’s opportunistic strike within the 76th minute within the 0-1 loss to Syria on Tuesday prevented a fourth.
India’s ahead #11 Sunil Chhetri leaves the pitch after being substituted (AFP)
The largest scare for India within the first half didn’t come immediately from a Syrian assault. Having efficiently received his physique between Pablo Sabbag and his objective, Sandesh Jhingan fell awkwardly and stayed down. After consideration from the medical workers, Jhingan was unsteady on his toes. At that time, the tv cameras turned to Igor Stimac and also you didn’t have to be a lip reader by career to grasp that the India head coach was calling out to his trusted central defender and flicking his hand to inquire if Jhingan was okay. He was, solely until half-time.
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The first motion after half-time had Jhingan collapsing and asking to be substituted. It meant reorganisation on the again with Rahul Bheke transferring into central defence and Nikhil Poojary taking his place at proper again. Jhingan was strong as traditional but it surely was Subhasish Bose who was wonderful as his central defensive companion. A darting run again to disclaim Ibrahim Hesar after Lalengmawia Ralte misplaced possession was the perfect in an authoritative efficiency.
Unlike towards Uzbekistan, the place three gentle objectives sucked the jeopardy out of the match, India thwarted Syria with a mix of braveness and defensive organisation. If Iraq’s Rebin Solaka’s deal with on Takuma Asano of Japan was the perfect of the 2024 Asian Cup, the one on Ajar Ramadan by Deepak Tangri would come shut. The match additionally noticed Gurpreet Singh Sandhu at the perfect he has been within the group league. His punches had been robust and within the 18th minute, Sandhu received large on Sabbag and picked up after leaving his line. Sabbag’s header of Syria’s first corner-kick wanted Sandhu to get down and palm it away with each arms.
India’s first corner-kick, additionally the primary of this group B tie, wasn’t half as harmful as they couldn’t maintain the ball in after enjoying quick. That encapsulated India’s attacking efforts which ended with Udanta Singh’s supply being too near goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh for Sunil Chhetri to make contact. After Mahesh Naorem had damaged free needing a tag effort from defender Aiham Ousou and Madanieh, India managed half-chances comparable to a header from Chhetri that lacked energy and a shot off track to finish the primary half.
The thought might have been to make use of the tempo of the huge gamers on the break however India couldn’t match Syria’s physicality within the center and the passes ahead lacked precision. Introduced within the sixty fourth minute to a loud applause from the big contingent of Indian followers, Sahal Abdul Samad too couldn’t change that in his first outing on this event.
For all their possession, Syria weren’t significantly better. Like India, that they had not scored within the Asian Cup until Tuesday. That may have modified within the 62nd minute when Akash Mishra, as an alternative of booting the ball out of hazard, tried to manage the ball and misplaced possession. It led to a Syrian cross which, unchallenged, Khrbin couldn’t head in.
The 2017 Asian Player of the Year, amongst 16 in Syria’s squad who play outdoors their nation, made amends quickly after. Ralte mistimed a deal with and that gave Syria time and area to construct a transfer, one which concerned Khrbin enjoying it huge to Hesar, receiving the ball and stroking it residence. His shirtless celebration and Mishra burying his face in his palms summed up the ecstasy and agony on his scorching afternoon at Al Bayt Stadium.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
