Goals from Mohammed Rabie Srour and Mohammed Fares Arnaout helped Syria beat India 2-0 in the first match of the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship Group C qualifiers at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha yesterday.
Though India managed to give a fighting account of themselves in the first half, Syria totally dominated the game in the second period, both in terms of possession and chances created, and were well rewarded with two goals.
Earlier, Mohammad Al Armour gave Syria the first glimpse of goal in the first half when his right-footed shot took a deflection of Nishu Kumar and went wide of the post.
At the other end, Daniel Lalhimpuia found himself inside the box with time and space after a cut back from Nikhil Chandrasekhar from the right, but his effort had neither power nor direction.
Syria had a good chance in the 21st minute but Mohammed Rabie Srour completely missed his volley from close range after Mouhamad Anez found him with a perfect cross from the left flank.
A few minutes later Kaith just about managed to stop a header from tall and powerful Syrian striker Mohammad Rafat Muhtadi, and the ball hit the post and rolled harmlessly across the goal line before being cleared for safety.
Syria took the lead in the 63rd minute after Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a terrible error in judging the flight of the ball and unnecessarily advanced out of his area for a hopeful pass from the midfield.
Mohammed Rabie Srour, who got to the ball before the keeper had no problem lifting it over him into an open net.
Mohammed Fares Arnaout then made it safe for the West Asian side with a header from close range in the 89th minute.
