AsianCup2023 | Group B : Syria 1 - 0 India

It's the final game in Group B for Syria and India and it's a must-win match for both sides if they are to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages. Neither side have managed to score a goal as of yet but we can expect a lot more chances as these sides push for the win here in the Elbeid Stadium. Syria could still finish second in the group if Australia beat Uzbekistan in the group's other game and if they win here today. Syria's head coach Hector sticks with the side that narrowly lost to Australia in the last game. Attackers Ibrahim Heza and Pablo Sabah will try and swoop in on any mistakes by India. Head coach for the Blue Tigers Igor Stimac has a full squad to pick from and opts for attacking 4-3-3. Singh Chetri and Nauram are ready to pounce on any opportunities that come their way. It's a bright start from India on that far side in the first few minutes of the game. It's fed into Nauram, he turns to get the shot away and it's a crucial interception from Ayam Oso. A vital touch denying India the opening goal of the game. Straight down the other end it's a corner to Syria sent towards the near post. Shabah with the header and Gurpreet Singh is there. The follow-up is put over the crossbar and it's away and clear. Pablo Sabah did everything right but it's too central. And then Syria pinching the ball back in a really dangerous position. Heza allowed to advance, takes the shot and Gurpreet's there to punch it away and the follow-up is blocked by Subhashish Bose. Ezekiel Elam quickly on to the follow-up after the powerful strike from Heza but the game remains nil-nil. In the 39th minute Syria coming forwards again. Ammar Ramadan cutting inside before releasing a good shot. Good bend on the ball but Gurpreet sees it all the way. An enthralling first half comes to an end and it remains in the balance at nil-nil. Into the second half a ball over India's back line is nodded down to the substitute Omar Rabin but it's that defender again Subhashish with a massive block epitomising the gritty determination shown by the Indian defence. Not the other end. A cross swung in towards the goalkeeper who fumbles it. Real danger now for Syria but India unable to capitalise on the mistake. You have the feeling that it could just be an individual error that decides a game as tightly contested as this. It's Misra the defender for India who's running into trouble here. It's nabbed back by Heza at the back post. Rabin sees his bullet header just missed the target. Panic stations for India in the 62nd minute. It wouldn't be long until Syria were on the attack again. Pouring forwards and the ball being worked to the left-hand side. Ramadan with the run on the outside and he just skews his shot into the side netting but Syria growing into the game and starting to gain the upper hand. A quarter of an hour to go it's Syria again on the attack. A nice sweeping move out to Elias. He cuts it back for Omar Rabin. He finds the near post with an excellent finish and Syria take a massive step towards qualification to the knockout round for the first time in their history. It's Omar Rabin the first Syrian to be the Asian football of the year and he writes himself into the history books here with a brilliant near post finish and it's his 76th minute strike that settles the game in the favor of the Cassione Eagles who win their first game in seven attempts in the Asian Cup with a strong performance here today and it's a crucial three points that might just be enough to put them through to the round of 16. Syria finish third and they'll have to wait until the group games are over to find out their fate but the chances are good. India bow out of the tournament but they do so having shown immense determination and energy. They'll hope to be back next time to take that one step further. Final score Syria one India nil.