Indian Sports Highlights, January 23: India loses to Syria, knocked out of AFC Asian Cup

36' Syria presses hard

Chhangte retrives the ball to stop Ramadan from running into the Indian box. Syria is testing Gurpreet's skills time and again. Not a happy time for India. 

33' Chance for India

India is playing a counter-attacking game and earns a corner. India makes a brilliant attempt but Syrian defence foils India's effort in the box. The score remains 0-0.

Nervy moment for India

Deepak Tangri's tackle at the edge of the Indian box forces the referee to check for a penalty. The VAR rules out it and the referee gives Syria a corner. The players are going physical in this match. 

IND vs SYR: India 0-0 Syria

It is a physical game so far. Mahesh's recklessly tackles Oues. The Syrian player charges Mahesh with his shoulder. Both players received yellow cards. Score remains 0-0 in this AFC Asian Cup Group B match. 

AFC Asian Cup: India vs Syria - Preview

India is up against Syria in their last group stage match of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup today at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. A 0-2 and 0-3 defeat to Australia and Uzbekistan laid bare India's inability to give strong competition to the top teams of the continent but a win against Syria can salvage some pride for the Sunil Chhetri-led side.

Syria are currently ranked at 91st in the FIFA chart, 11 places above India but a victory is not impossible for the Igor Stimac-coached side as they had won in the past -- in 2007, 2009 and 2012 Nehru Cup tournaments.

AFC Asian Cup: India vs Syria - Head to Head

India vs Syria Head to Head Record

Matches Played: 6

India Win: 3

Syria Win: 2

Draw: 1

AFC Asian Cup: Syria starting XI vs India

Syria starting XI vs India: Madanieh, Alajaan, Krouma, Ousou, Oues, Ramadan, Ham, Elias, Alaswad, Sabbag, Hesar

AFC Asian Cup: India starting XI vs Syria

India Starting XI vs Syria: Gurpreet, Bheke, Sandesh, Subhashish, Akash, Manvir, Sunil, Mahesh, Chhangte, Apuia, Tangri

Satwik-Chirag reclaims world no. 1 ranking, dethroning China's Liang-Wang

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reclaimed the world no. 1 ranking from Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China on Tuesday as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) updated the latest world rankings.

Starting the new season in 2024, the Indian pair showed remarkable consistency by reaching back-to-back finals at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 and India Open Super 1000. Even though they lost both the finals, it did not deter their rise to the top in the world rankings again.

REPORT 

AFC Asian Cup: Who leads India vs Syria head-to-head tally?

The Indian men's football team is up against Syria in a do or die clash at the AFC Asian Cup on Tuesday. This is the final group game for both sides. While India lost its previous two matches against Australia and Uzbekistan, Syria held the Uzbeks to a goalless draw. 

In the head-to-head record, The Blue Tigers have an upper hand over the Syrians as they enjoy a 3-2 win-loss ratio, with the one remaining match ending in a draw. 91st ranked Syria, however, is currently ranked above India, ranked 102nd in the world.