India vs Syria, Intercontinental Cup 2019 HIGHLIGHTS: India End Tournament With 1-1 Draw vs Syria

As India earn their first point under Igor Stimac on home soil, that's it from us for today. On Friday in Ahmedabad, Tajikistan and DPR Korea will play for the title.

Goalscorer Narendra Gahlot to the broadcasters: "I was only thinking of getting to the ball at any cost. It was a good ball, which came to my head, and I am thankful to (Anirudh) Thapa bhai for that."

"As a team we have done well. The coach hasn't put me under any pressure. Sunil (Chhetri) bhai and (Sandesh) Jhingan bhai have given me a lot of support even when I haven't played well. The first game wasn't good but we lose and win together."

Possession: Syria 51-49 India

Shots: Syria 17-3 India

The gulf in class between India and Syria was for everyone to see but Syria's wastefulness and India's heart means the hosts have come out with a better result.

Igor Stimac to the broadcasters: "We are going to analyse our mistakes today. There were some mistakes when we were pushed down. I read some comments that I should be nurturing these footballers. This is not academy football and I shouldn't be nurturing these players. We have shown that we have great talents, never mind how they play, good or bad. If they play, they will get better. I was not brought here to bring you one win, one loss and in the middle somewhere. It's easy to play teams somewhere below range. To get the team to play good football, it takes time. We'll take some sacrifice and lots of suffering but we need to be patient.

"I try to teach them bit by bit. I tried it before the second game but they lost it completely. These were three games before the qualifiers. I have to choose now -- 15-16 or 20 players who will play for India.

"They (fans) were amazing. With positive support. I am asking the media to be patient. Results will come. We know exactly what we need to do."

The result means India have knocked Syria out of the Intercontinental Cup 2019! The pre-tournament favourites Syria are not going to play the final in Ahmedabad on Friday. On Friday, the tournament will have a new champion as Tajikistan and DPR Korea take on each other at the EKA Arena. India end the tournament on a positive note and will only look ahead from here.

FULL-TIME! And that's the end of that! It all ends square at the EKA Arena 🏟

🇮🇳 1-1 🇸🇾#INDSYR ⚔ #BackTheBlue 💙 #HeroIC 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/cGUCGnw5dk

— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) July 16, 2019

The one mistake from Jerry Lalrinzuala means India settled for a 1-1 draw against Syria. Syria, who were the pre-tournament favourites, failed to convert their chances but a well-taken penalty from captain Faris Alkhatib brought them on level terms. What a night this for Narender Gahlot though, puts in a solid shift at the back and scores a brilliant header for India to help his team earn the draw. By far, under Igor Stimac, this was India's most complete 90-minute performance - the penalty being a minor blip.

Thank You, Ahmedabad 🙏! We will be back, STRONGER! 💪#HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers🐯 pic.twitter.com/iAfE0XWeVl

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

So that's that! India have earned a 1-1 draw against Syria in the final league match of the Intercontinental Cup 2019. India exit the tournament with their first positive result in Ahmedabad and the crowd lets the team know that. The Icelandic claps are on as players thank the fans for their support.

FULL TIME: INDIA 1-1 SYRIA

FT: The #BlueTigers🐯are held to a draw by Syria.

IND 🇮🇳 1-1 🇸🇾 SYR#HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR pic.twitter.com/mxFp31OpMh

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

92' Sunil Chhetri is replaced by Farukh Choudhary. Chhetri gets off the pitch as he receives a standing ovation from the crowd. He is revered figure and the crowd reaction shows exactly that.

India 1-1 Syria

90+2' SUB FOR 🇮🇳 : @chetrisunil11 is replaced by Farukh Chaudhary.

IND 🇮🇳 1-1 🇸🇾 SYR#HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

89' Vinit Rai comes on for Sahal Abdul Samad. Just those last changes being rung in by Igor Stimac here. Vinit's first duty was to get to the end of a corner. Anirudh Thapa's delivery, however, is headed over by Rahul Bheke.

India 1-1 Syria

89' SUB FOR 🇮🇳 : Abdul Sahal is replaced by @vinit_vr.

IND 🇮🇳 1-1 🇸🇾 SYR#HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

84' Udanta Singh is replaced by Manvir Singh. Manvir had started the previous game against DPR Korea and gets another chance here against Syria.

India 1-1 Syria

84' SUB FOR 🇮🇳: @UdantaK is replaced by Manvir Singh.

IND 🇮🇳 1-1 🇸🇾 SYR#HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

83' Amarjit's challenge on the edge of the box earns his a card and it's a free kick for Syria in a dangerous position but Alkhatib's free kick is pushed over by Gurpreet. The ball was going over already but the Indian keeper took no chance there. The resulting corner also went over.

India 1-1 Syria

82' Alkhatib's pleas of another penalty falls to deaf ears. Jerry almost gave another penalty there as he tugged on Alkhatib's shirt. He must thank his stars that Alkhatib had a stand off with the referee earlier and that might have influenced the decision. This is getting tricky for India now.

India 1-1 Syria

78' PENALTY FOR SYRIA! Jerry, who had just come on for Mandar, conceded a clear cut penalty and India are punished for their mistake.

GOAL! Syria captain Firas Alkhatib buries the penalty depsite Gurpreet Singh Sandhu guessing it right. This has just brought Syria back in the game and now, they will go even harder for the win.

India 1-1 Syria

73' Goal. Jerry's foul inside the box hands Syria a lifeline with a spot-kick and Al-Khatib picks his spot and beats Gurpreet to draw level. 1-1. #INDSYR #HeroIC

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) July 16, 2019

76' A routine collect for Gurpreet. Syria are trying hard to get one back but good challenge from Indian defence and Syria could not make the most of it.

India 1-0 Syria

74' Mandar Rao Dessai makes way for Jerry Lalrinzuala at the back. Igor Stimac is trying to keep his backline fresh here. He doesn't want a repeat of Tajikistan or DPR Korea where India conceded goals easily.

India 1-0 Syria

70' India look far more confident and comfortable on the ball since the goal, shows how a goal can do wonders for the confidence of the team. Syria are still pushing hard though but India have managed to hunt in a pack and close down spaces well. Syria are getting frustrated now.

India 1-0 Syria

66' A foul is given against Chhangte as he battle for the ball. He was released on the left wing and was running down the channel when the Syrian defender closed him down. As the defender goes down, referee blows the whistle and Chhangte smiles while running back. Replays show that Chhangte did not have got any contact on the defender.

India 1-0 Syria

64' Syria captain Firas Alkhatib gets himself a yellow card by screaming at the referee trying to complain about an Indian challenge. The frustration is showing on Syria now, it seems.

India 1-0 Syria

61' Another chance for Syria as Alkhatib turns around to take a shot but shoots it wide. Syria are trying harder and harder to equalise. This is when India's concentration at the back is going to be put to serious test.

India 1-0 Syria

Here's a video of the Narender Gahlot header!

📽️ @NarenderGahlot rose above everyone else and beautifully nodded in the header to put India in front! 🤩🤩

IND 🇮🇳 1-0 🇸🇾 SYR#IndianFootball #HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR pic.twitter.com/TTOGjN9flC

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

A first goal for Narender Gahlot for the Indian national team and what a moment to score it. The 18-year-old showed excellent physicality to jump for the ball and head that in. One for the future!

Just an 1⃣8⃣ year old heading the ⚽️ into the 🥅

IND 🇮🇳 1-0 🇸🇾 SYR#IndianFootball #HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR pic.twitter.com/7xNU1LTem7

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

58' Better ball control shown by Chhangte and he intelligently passes the ball to an overlapping Udanta Singh. Udanta tries to put the ball in the middle for Sunil Chhetri but ends up shooting it straight into the keeper's hands.

India 1-0 Syria

55' Syria get a free kick in a dangerous position on the other end of the pitch but the free kick goes way over, not troubling a soul on the pitch. Syria will be desperate to get back in the game here and India have got to be very careful.

India 1-0 Syria

52' GOAL! Narender Gahlot has put India in the lead here. Absolutely brilliant from the youngster. Anirudh Thapa takes the corner kick and floats the ball beautifully in the centre, Narender times his jump to perfect and connects his head with the ball brilliantly to put the ball at the back of the net. This should give India a lot of confidence.

India 1-0 Syria

51' GOAL! Narender finds the back of the net 🥅for the #BlueTigers 🐯with a thumping header off @AnirudhThapa's cross. 💪🔥

IND 🇮🇳 1-0 🇸🇾 SYR#IndianFootball #HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR pic.twitter.com/KxDezYFPeu

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

51' What a chance for India! Sunil Chhetri with brilliant movement and he gets across a beautiful reverse pass towards an onrushing Udanta in the box. Udanta however takes it a touch too far and fails to pass the ball in the middle.

India 0-0 Syria

STAT ALERT: Syria have scored four of their five goals this tournament in the second half. That's the danger India are facing at the moment.

India kick off the second half. A lot trickier half awaits India as Syria are set to be pushing hard for a win while India will have to keep shape, hold the ball, concentrate on the ball and look to create their own chances.

India 0-0 Syria

2⃣nd- HALF KICK-OFF ⚽️ Can the #BlueTigers find the elusive W in the #HeroIC in the next 45 minutes?

IND 🇮🇳 0-0 🇸🇾 SYR#IndianFootball #HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR pic.twitter.com/B2D2nVKdRc

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

STAT ALERT: India have conceded 67 per cent of their goal in the Intercontinental Cup 2019 in the second half.

India will need to more concentrated and have a lot more energy in the second half as Syria will surely come out hard and try to get a goal. While India are playing for pride here, it is Syria who are in a must-win situation if they want to make it to the final of the tournament.

Improved defensive performance by us in the first half against #Syria

We have to keep our discipline intact in the second half to end the #HeroIntercontinentalCup campaign in a positive note. #IndianFootball #HeroIC #INDvSYR HT: 0-0

— Shaji Prabhakaran (@Shaji4Football) July 16, 2019

India have given a fair account of themselves so far. There were a few mistakes but Syria would rue the fact that they did not punish those Indian mistakes. On the whole, India have created a couple of chances up front (they'd want to do better in that department) but they've been quite solid at the back with the whole backline being supported by the entire midfield as well. Intriguing bit of play, Syria will surely threaten more in the second half and India will need to keep up their concentration and continue the good work.

India 0-0 Syria at half time!

HT: Despite a flurry of chances for the #BlueTigers 🐯, the scoreline still reads goalless 🥅❌.

IND 🇮🇳 0-0 🇸🇾 SYR#IndianFootball #HeroIC 🏆 #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #INDSYR pic.twitter.com/PXUsMO1eDa

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2019

45' Excellent skill on the ball from Sunil Chhetri but he is brought down and Mohamed Anaz is carded for his tug on the captain's shirt. Chhetri was going to race off with the ball there and Anaz has taken one for the team.

India 0-0 Syria