India is set to face Syria in the final of the 2024 Intercontinental Cup, with the decisive match taking place at the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday.
India, aiming for its second consecutive Intercontinental Cup title and third overall, started the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Mauritius. Syria, having defeated Mauritius 2-0, holds a slight edge going into the final, as the Eagles of Qasioun need only a draw to secure the trophy.
Historically, Syria has struggled to secure titles in Indian tournaments. The West Asians fell short in the Nehru Cup finals, losing to India in 2007 and 2009, and finished fourth in the 2012 edition. Their most recent appearance in India was during the 2019 Intercontinental Cup, where they finished third.
To thwart Syria’s bid for their first silverware on Indian soil, the Blue Tigers must overcome a winless streak that has persisted since November of the previous year.
India’s head coach, Manolo Márquez, who celebrated his 56th birthday on Saturday, acknowledged the challenge: “It will be a difficult game for both sides. It’s a friendly game, but the team who wins the game wins the trophy. We expect to play a good game and win the tournament.”
Here’s a look at the head-to-head record between India and Syria:
- Matches Played: 7
- India Wins: 2
- Draws: 2
- Syria Wins: 3
Syria holds a slight advantage based on their past encounters. The last meeting between the teams occurred earlier this year during the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. Where India suffered a 1-0 defeat, with Omar Khribin scoring the only goal.
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, fans can anticipate a thrilling conclusion to the Intercontinental Cup 2024.
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