The Indian men’s football team will aim to secure their first silverware under new head coach Manolo Márquez as they face off against Syria in the ongoing Intercontinental Cup in Hyderabad today. After a disappointing goalless draw against Mauritius, the Blue Tigers now face a formidable Syrian side that defeated Mauritius 2-0. This places Syria as the favourites heading into this crucial match, with India needing a victory to claim the tournament title.
Head-to-Head
Historically, India have a relatively balanced record against Syria compared to other opponents. In seven encounters, both teams have won three times each, with one match ending in a draw. Their most recent meeting was in the AFC Asian Cup in January 2024, where Syria emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win. In the 2019 Intercontinental Cup, the two sides also faced off, resulting in a 1-1 draw. India’s last victory over Syria dates back to August 2012, when they triumphed in an international friendly.
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India
India’s performance in their opening fixture against Mauritius was underwhelming, a frustrating start to the Márquez era. The Spaniard was visibly disappointed with his team’s display against a lower-ranked opponent. The upcoming clash against Syria will be a tougher test, and Márquez’s men will need to show greater intent and positivity if they hope to spring an upset.
In the match against Mauritius, India lacked the urgency to push forward and create meaningful chances. Manvir Singh deployed as a central striker, was largely ineffective, failing to involve himself in link-up play or create opportunities for his teammates. Meanwhile, Liston Colaco, who has been in fine form for Mohun Bagan Super Giant this season, struggled to make an impact on the international stage. Jeakson Singh, too, has underwhelmed since his big-money move to East Bengal, showing little sign of the form expected of him for both club and country.
In a surprising decision, Márquez left out key players like Anwar Ali in defence and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal for the Mauritius game. However, it is expected that these experienced players will return to the starting lineup today, with many squad members having gotten valuable game time in the previous match.
Márquez reflected on the importance of today’s match, saying, “It will be a difficult game for both sides. It is a friendly game, but the team that wins the game wins the trophy. If you ask me, I prefer to play a good game than to win the tournament. I do not want to win it 1-0 by scoring with the hand. I want the team to understand our ideas and play better because ultimately, it is not just about winning or losing.”
Syria
Like India, Syria are also embarking on a new era under head coach José Lana. The Syrian team impressed in their opening match against Mauritius, with Lana expressing satisfaction with his players’ performance. Now, they are looking to step up their game against a stronger opponent in India.
While India struggled to show intensity, Syria controlled possession, stringing together short, purposeful passes through midfield. Captain Mahmoud Al-Mawas was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, but credit must also go to the entire team for quickly adapting to the conditions. Syria’s fluid play gave their wingers plenty of space to exploit, leading to several dangerous attacks.
Ahead of the tournament, during the trophy unveiling ceremony, Lana made a bold statement when he declined to touch the trophy, saying, “I will touch it after we win.” This reflects the confidence and mental fortitude of the Syrian team, who are determined to claim the silverware. Apart from Al-Mawas, two other key players to watch are Pablo Sabbag and Omar Al Somah, the latter being among one of Syria’s top active goal scorers with 21 goals for his country.
José Lana praised India ahead of the match, stating, “I think India are a great team. I like the way they play under this coach. They try to move the ball quickly and are well-organised. They also know how to press when they don’t have possession.”
As both teams prepare for this high-stakes encounter, the pressure will be on India to rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that can upset Syria’s momentum and secure a memorable victory under their new coach.
Also Read: Syria test: Good football centrepiece of Márquez manoeuvre