2012 Nehru Cup: India start with 2-1 win against Syria

The 2012 edition of the Nehru Cup got off to a perfect start for the hosts and defending champions India with a 2-1 victory against old rivals Syria at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. These three points could be crucial for India to reach the finals on September 2.

Syria has been a tough rival for India in the Nehru Cup over the last couple of editions. India lost against them in the group stage in 2007 and 2009 but then went on to beat them in the 2007 and 2009 finals. This time around India made a positive start against Syria in the group stage.

But it was a tough start for India as well as for Syria, who both featured new-look sides in this tournament opener. It was a slow start by both sides, who needed time to settle down and Syria seemed to cope better with the detoriating ground conditions with the Indian defence especially Raju Gaikwad having its problems but Subrata Pal stood tall. Delhi has been experiencing seasonal monsoon rains and during the match it got heavier and heavier resulting in the referee Vladislav Tseytlin from Uzbekistan haulting proceedings after only 34 minutes with play not possible.

After the forced break Syria came out realising that the high and long ball was more effective on a ground which was rather stopping the ball then allowing it to move. But in injury-time against the run of play India took the lead when Clifford Miranda played a perfect cross from the left which was headed in by a free Sunil Chhetri to give India the lead.

After the break the difficult ground conditions continued for both sides though the organisers tried their best to drain out the water, but Syria seemed to have lost their purpose though they had some chances while India was playing better as a team. Subrata Pal had to come to India's rescue on a few occasions, but he had a strong game in his comeback match.

India sealed the victory in the 84th minute when substitute Anthony Pereira, who came on for debutant Sanju Pradhan, curled the ball into the far corner of the net from just outside box following a pass from Francis Fernandes. Syria was only able to reduce the deficit in injury time through an Alaa Al Shbli header off a free-kick which caught the Indian defence napping.

After the match Sunil Chhetri was declared 'Man of the Match'.

The 2-1 win was a perfect start for Wim Koevermans though the Dutchman will have seen that a lot of works remains with Team India to get the best out of the team and also find the right combination and formation.


MATCH STATS

India 2-1 (1-0) Syria - Goals: 1-0 Sunil Chhetri (45+2'), 2-0 Anthony Pereira (84'), 2-1 Alaa Al Shbli (90+1')

India
1-Subrata Pal - 4-Nirmal Chetri, 3-Raju Gaikwad, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi - 8-Sanju Pradhan (70' 14-Anthony Pereira), 20-Mehtab Hussain, 6-Lenny Rodrigues, 15-Clifford Miranda - 26-Francis Fernandes - 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]

Syria
25-Taha Mosa - 15-Alaa Al Shbli, 2-Ahmed Al Salih, 4-Jehad Al Baour, 3-Mohamad Zbida - 18-Ali Ghalioum, 8-Mohamad Afa Al Rifal (46' 12-Zakaria Al Omani), 10-Zaher Midani, 11-Oday Jafal - 9-Mardik Mardikian (64' 17-Hamoud Al Hamoud), 20-Hani Al Taiar

Referee
Vladislav Tseytlin (Uzbekistan)