Syria’s 76th minute strike from Omar Khrbin led to the third loss in as many games for Stimac’s team And so it ended, without a goal scored and a point won. India went into the toughest group of the 2024 Asian Cup in terms of average ranking expecting nothing. Barring a limp first half against Uzbekistan, they put up a fight managing three goalless halves against higher-ranked teams. Omar Khrbin’s opportunistic strike in the 76th minute in the 0-1 loss to Syria on Tuesday prevented a fourth.
The biggest scare for India in the first half didn’t come directly from a Syrian attack. Having successfully got his body between Pablo Sabbag and his goal, Sandesh Jhingan fell awkwardly and stayed down. After attention from the medical staff, Jhingan was unsteady on his feet. At that point, the television cameras turned to Igor Stimac and you didn’t need to be a lip reader by profession to understand 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, only till half-time.
The first action after half-time had Jhingan collapsing and asking to be substituted. It meant reorganisation at the back with Rahul Bheke moving into central defence and Nikhil Poojary taking his position at right back. Jhingan was solid as usual but it was Subhasish Bose who was excellent as his central defensive partner. A darting run back to deny Ibrahim Hesar after Lalengmawia Ralte lost possession was the best in an authoritative performance.(HT)